Pentagon Official: Trump Boat Strike Was a Criminal Attack on Civilians

PENTAGON OFFICIAL: TRUMP BOAT STRIKE WAS A CRIMINAL ATTACK ON CIVILIANS A high-ranking Pentagon official has described the U.S. military's strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea as a "criminal attack" on civilians, according to an interview with The Intercept. The incident occurred on Tuesday and was touted by President Donald Trump as a successful operation against drug traffickers from Venezuela. However, the Pentagon official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disputed this characterization, saying that the U.S. is now directly targeting civilians. "The rest saw the writing on the wall" after Trump fired the top legal authorities of the Army and the Air Force earlier this year, the official said. "When you fire the military's top lawyers, instead of being a critical firebreak, they are now a rubber stamp complicit in this crime." The U.S. Department of Defense has not publicly commented on the incident or the allegations made by the Pentagon official. Background and context: President Trump had claimed that the strike was aimed at positively identifying individuals involved in drug trafficking from Venezuela. However, the Pentagon official disputed this characterization, saying that the U.S. is now directly targeting civilians. The incident has sparked debate among lawmakers and experts about the implications of the Trump administration's policies on military operations and civilian casualties. Additional perspectives: Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released a statement condemning the strike as "unacceptable" and calling for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. "We must ensure that our military actions are in accordance with international law and respect for human rights," he said. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Trump administration defended the operation, saying that it was a necessary measure to combat drug trafficking and protect national security. Current status and next developments: The incident is likely to be the subject of further investigation and debate in the coming days. The Pentagon official's allegations are expected to be scrutinized by lawmakers and experts, who will seek to determine whether the Trump administration's policies have contributed to an increase in civilian casualties. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact U.S. foreign policy and military operations in the region. In related news, President Trump has been facing increasing pressure from lawmakers and voters over his handling of various issues, including national security and human rights. *Reporting by Theintercept.*