Foreign Policy and Defense

Military force against drug cartels

6 public statements from 2026 candidates

§1The range of views

Why this matters: It decides whether the fight against drug trafficking is a job for the military or for law enforcement, and how far a president can go without approval from Congress.

Drafted by AI, then checked for neutral wording in a separate AI review. It describes the question and the main positions, not any candidate's view. Facts link to their sources.

Whether the US military should attack drug-trafficking groups abroad or at sea, as it did in 2025 with strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific against groups the government has designated as terrorist organizations.1,2,3

  1. Use military strikes against cartels without needing Congress's approval
  2. Allow strikes only if Congress authorizes them
  3. Treat drug trafficking as a job for law enforcement, not the military

These options describe policies, not people. The order is not a ranking.

§2What candidates have said

Why this matters: Statements candidates made publicly, summarized in plain words with a link to where they said it. Candidates who haven't spoken publicly on this issue aren't listed.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Statements that don't match one option (6)

  • Connie Chan CA-11
    Her campaign website says the U.S. strikes on small boats in the Pacific and Caribbean violate international law and that she would work to stop and investigate them.4
  • Ro Khanna CA-17
    His campaign website says he has called for hearings on the boat strikes in the Caribbean, which he considers illegal, and for them to end.5
  • Kelly Thompson IN-3
    Her campaign website says military attacks on suspected drug-trafficking vessels must receive independent investigation, including of who was killed, what legal authority was used and who approved the strikes.6
  • Mikel Wein KY-5
    His campaign website lists attacking private boats in international waters among the administration actions it says are meant to instill fear, and says it is time to restore the role of Congress in military action against other nations.7
  • Zach Dembo KY-6
    His campaign website says what has happened with boats coming from Venezuela is a dangerous abuse of power that violates international law.8
  • Tom Schmitz MO-1
    His campaign website opposes the U.S. military's attacks on boats in the Caribbean that are alleged to carry drugs, saying they violate due process and the presumption of innocence.9