Fetterman Backs Trump’s Military Strike on Drug Smugglers as Tensions with Venezuela Rise

U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) broke from many in his party this week, offering strong public support for President Donald Trump’s recent use of military force against suspected drug smugglers linked to a violent Venezuelan gang. The move has sparked a national debate over legality, precedent, and the expanding role of the military in anti-drug operations.

Following a report by The New York Times that questioned the legal basis for the operation, Fetterman took to social media to defend the administration’s actions.

“Over 100,000 Americans die every year from overdoses,” Fetterman posted on X. “Drug cartels are waging war against this country, every single day. Maybe it’s time we start fighting back—and holding them truly accountable.”

His comments come in response to an incident earlier this week where U.S. forces, under President Trump’s direct orders, engaged a vessel believed to be transporting narcotics on behalf of Tren de Aragua—a Venezuelan gang classified by the U.S. as a narcoterrorist organization.

Strike on Suspected Smugglers Sparks Legal Debate

The operation, which resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, was part of a broader Trump administration effort to escalate counter-narcotics enforcement using military resources. The vessel was intercepted in the southern Caribbean by U.S. forces, who launched a precision strike without attempting to board or issue warnings, according to multiple reports.

The New York Times, citing unnamed defense officials, reported that the operation marked a departure from past U.S. military conduct in such cases. The report argued there was “no clear legal precedent or framework” for the lethal use of force in this context.

However, conservative analysts and Trump allies pushed back, arguing that the administration’s actions were justified by the gang’s terrorist designation and the threat they pose to public safety.

In an op-ed published by The Daily Wire, the authors noted that previous policies rarely resulted in significant consequences for smugglers caught at sea.

“Up until now, the worst-case scenario for these traffickers was maybe a brief detention,” the article read. “They’d get asked a couple of questions and then be released. Often, nonprofit organizations with political ties would swoop in to make sure they never faced real accountability.”

This time, the authors argued, the smugglers were met with decisive military action—signaling what they believe is a much-needed shift in strategy.

Trump Issues Warning to Venezuela After Fighter Jet Encounter

The operation has also inflamed tensions with Venezuela. According to Pentagon officials, two Venezuelan fighter jets flew unusually close to a U.S. Navy destroyer operating in international waters earlier this week. The Department of Defense called the maneuver “highly provocative” and warned Caracas not to interfere with U.S. military operations in the region.

When asked about the incident, Trump did not mince words.

“If they fly in a dangerous position, they will be shot down,” he said bluntly during a briefing in the Oval Office. “Our commanders have full authority to respond as they see fit. If our forces are put at risk, I trust them to do what’s necessary.”

Trump declined to specify how close the planes got to U.S. assets, but reiterated that any aggressive posture from Venezuela would be met with force.

Strike Announced via Truth Social

The president had initially announced the maritime strike on his Truth Social platform, claiming responsibility for authorizing the mission.

“Earlier this morning, on my orders, U.S. military forces carried out a strike against Tren de Aragua narcoterrorists operating in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” Trump wrote. “This group is responsible for mass murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and violence throughout the Western Hemisphere.”

The statement described Tren de Aragua as operating under the protection of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and accused the gang of exporting chaos across Latin America and the United States.

Political Reactions Divide the Aisle

Fetterman’s vocal defense of Trump’s actions drew both praise and criticism. Supporters saw it as a rare example of bipartisan agreement on national security, while others accused the Pennsylvania senator of aligning with dangerous executive overreach.

In D.C., the legal ramifications of the strike continue to stir discussion. Some lawmakers are now calling for hearings into the use of military force against non-state actors in international waters.

Still, Fetterman doubled down on his stance.

“This isn’t about politics. It’s about saving American lives,” he said in a follow-up post. “We’ve talked tough on cartels for years—it’s time we start acting like it.”

As the debate continues, the Trump administration appears poised to maintain its aggressive posture on the international drug trade, raising questions about what future operations might look like—and how far they’re willing to go.