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A senior Justice Department official told lawmakers the Trump administration can continue lethal strikes on alleged drug traffickers without congressional approval, arguing the War Powers Resolution doesn’t apply. OLC chief T. Elliot Gaiser cited a classified opinion equating drug cartels with terrorists and noting U.S. forces aren’t facing hostilities. Since early September, at least 15 strikes on suspected drug boats have killed 64 people, CNN tallied, drawing legal concerns and bipartisan criticism over limited disclosure. The policy follows Trump’s order designating certain cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and coincides with pressure on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.