Trump Used to Fantasize About Killing Suspects. Now He’s Doing It.

Mona Charen talks with Adam Isacson and John Walsh of the Washington Office on Latin America about Operation Southern Spear, the Trump administration’s deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats, and the secret legal theory being used to justify them. They examine the killing of survivors in a second strike, Pete Hegseth’s purge of military lawyers, the evidence that the campaign hasn’t reduced the cocaine supply, and why U.S. allies are increasingly wary of sharing intelligence that could be used in the strikes.Upgrade your everyday essentials with Quince, from Mongolian cashmere and premium-stretch denim to leather bags, 14k gold jewelry, bedding, bath, kitchen essentials, and furniture. Quince works directly with ethical factories to offer quality pieces at prices 50–80% less than similar brands. Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at https://www.quince.com/MONA. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Further reading:WOLA — Killing Spree: Extrajudicial Executions in the U.S. Boat Strikes Campaignhttps://www.wola.org/analysis/killing-spree-extrajudicial-executions-in-the-u-s-boat-strikes-campaign/The Washington Post — Deadly U.S. boat strikes have failed to curb cocaine supply, Pentagon and DEA officials sayhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/07/27/operation-southern-spear-has-not-slowed-cocaine-entering-us/Reuters — We bought everything needed to make $3 million worth of fentanyl. All it took was $3,600.https://www.reuters.com/investigations/we-bought-everything-needed-make-3-million-worth-fentanyl-all-it-took-was-3600-2024-07-25/