World News - International Affairs & Foreign Policy

“With civil unrest exploding in Ukraine, Syria, Somalia, Libya, and the desperation of those in power, isn’t this perfect for you?” That’s the provocative question Jeffrey Epstein allegedly posed to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in a 2014 email.

This bombshell from hacked correspondence paints a shadowy picture of backdoor diplomacy during the Syrian civil war, raising serious questions about influence and power.

Leaked emails, obtained by the hacker group Handala Hacking Team and disseminated by Distributed Denial of Secrets, allege that Epstein facilitated covert diplomatic efforts between Israel and Russia to shape policy during the Syrian conflict, the Daily Caller reported.

The main players here are Epstein, a disgraced financier with notorious connections, and Barak, a former Israeli leader with deep military and political roots. Their alleged collaboration, spanning 2013 to 2016, aimed to sway U.S. policy, oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and secure Russian cooperation. But that wasn’t the only revelation.

Uncovering a Covert Diplomatic Backchannel

According to the leaks reported by Drop Site News, Epstein arranged a private 2013 meeting between Barak and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the Syrian conflict. Their attempt to gain Russian support for Assad’s removal ultimately failed. Still, the discussions may have contributed to later U.S.-Russia cooperation on dismantling Syria’s chemical weapons.

Epstein didn’t stop there, allegedly feeding Barak insider information from Russian elites about Putin’s international contacts and even offering advice on Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. It’s a startling claim—Epstein as a geopolitical fixer. Could such unofficial channels really shift global events?

By 2015, the duo reportedly revived their efforts, pushing for U.S. military action against Iran and opposing the Obama administration’s nuclear agreement. Barak’s attempts to change Washington’s stance fell flat, but the persistence of this backchannel raises eyebrows about hidden agendas.

Turning Point: Frustration with U.S. Policy

Epstein’s frustration with the Obama administration’s lack of forceful policy toward Iran shines through in the leaks. He reportedly urged Barak to publish narratives linking Syria to Iran, even suggesting Congress could be pushed to authorize military action. “Hopefully someone suggests getting authorization now for Iran,” Epstein allegedly wrote, showing his impatience with diplomatic delays.

For context, it’s worth recapping the broader stakes during this period: the Syrian civil war raged with chemical attacks prompting Obama’s “red line” statement in 2013, while tensions with Iran over nuclear ambitions simmered. Epstein’s alleged advice to Barak wasn’t just strategic—it was a calculated play to exploit unrest, much like his provocative 2014 email hinted.

Barak, leveraging Epstein’s connections, also sought ties with Russian-Israeli oligarch Viktor Vekselberg for wealth and access to Russian officials. Though outcomes of these negotiations remain unclear, the emails suggest a pattern of using unofficial routes to bypass traditional diplomacy.

Conflicting Interests in Global Power Plays

Critics might argue that such backchannels, while unsavory, are a reality of geopolitics—nations often use unconventional means to secure interests. Yet, when figures like Epstein, with questionable motives, are involved, it muddies the waters of accountability. Do you agree with that reasoning? Many readers might not.

Others could counter that Israel’s regional security concerns, especially regarding Syria and Iran, justify exploring all avenues, even controversial ones. Still, aligning with Epstein’s network risks undermining legitimate diplomatic efforts.

Here’s how we got here: from a failed 2013 meeting with Putin to renewed 2015 efforts against the Iran deal, this alleged collaboration spanned years of global unrest. And it’s far from over.

Why This Story Still Resonates Today

For everyday Americans, the message is clear—hidden dealings like these can shape the wars and policies that affect us all, often without oversight. When unelected figures like Epstein allegedly broker international deals, it’s a reminder of how much happens behind closed doors.

That 2014 question, “isn’t this perfect for you,” echoes as a chilling motif of opportunism amid chaos. It’s a stark contrast to the transparency we demand from leaders. What else lurks in the shadows of power?

As Assad now lives under Kremlin restrictions in Russia after fleeing Damascus in 2024, the long-term fallout of these alleged backchannels remains unclear. The next leak or investigation could change everything.

The Facts

Hacked emails allege Jeffrey Epstein facilitated a diplomatic backchannel between Israel and Russia during the Syrian civil war.
Communications reportedly involved former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak from 2013 to 2016.
Epstein allegedly arranged a 2013 meeting between Barak and Vladimir Putin to discuss Syria.
Efforts focused on removing Bashar al-Assad and influencing U.S. policy toward Iran.
Barak sought connections with Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg for access and wealth, per the leaks.

Leaked emails allege Jeffrey Epstein helped former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak establish a covert diplomatic backchannel with Russia during the Syrian civil war, aiming to influence U.S. policy and remove Bashar al-Assad.

The Pentagon has just opened the door to arming Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, a move that could shift the balance in a war that’s already a geopolitical powder keg, the Hill reported.

The Department of Defense has given its blessing to send these powerful weapons to Kyiv, though the final call rests with President Trump, who’s playing a cautious hand amid pressure from European allies and urgent pleas from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Let’s rewind a bit to see how we got here. Earlier in October, the Joint Staff provided an assessment to the White House, relaying that European allies saw no strong reason for the U.S. to hold back on the missile transfer. It seemed like a green light was imminent, with the Pentagon later confirming that sending Tomahawks wouldn’t dent U.S. stockpiles.

Trump’s Hesitation Sparks Diplomatic Debate

But then came the curveball—President Trump, in a meeting with Zelensky at the White House on October 17, expressed serious reservations. “It’s not easy for us to give … you’re talking about massive numbers of very powerful weapons,” Trump remarked before their discussion, signaling his reluctance to commit right away.

During that meeting, Trump made it clear he wasn’t ready to approve the transfer just yet, leaving Zelensky empty-handed for the moment. You can almost hear the frustration from Kyiv—after all, these missiles aren’t just hardware; they’re a potential game-changer. Tomahawks, with their radar-evading, low-altitude flight and subsonic speed, could let Ukraine strike deep into Russian territory, targeting military and energy assets.

Zelensky didn’t take the delay lying down, though. He’s been vocal about needing advanced weaponry to bolster Ukraine’s position against Russia, arguing that long-range strike capabilities could be the linchpin for peace. It’s a bold claim, but in a war of attrition, every edge counts.

Zelensky Pushes for Long-Range Leverage

In a video address earlier in October, Zelensky doubled down, suggesting that Ukraine’s ability to hit far-off targets might force Russia to the negotiating table. He’s framing this not just as a military need but as a diplomatic chess move. And let’s be honest—when your enemy is lobbing missiles made in-house and sourced from places like North Korea and Iran, as Russia is, you’d want every ace up your sleeve.

After his White House meeting, Zelensky kept the pressure on, highlighting the stakes of the missile discussion. “The front line can spark diplomacy. Instead, Russia continues to do everything to weasel out of diplomacy, and as soon as the issue of long-range capabilities for us — for Ukraine — became less immediate, Russia’s interest in diplomacy faded almost automatically,” he stated, pointing to the missed opportunity.

He didn’t stop there, adding, “This signals that this very issue — the issue of our deep strike capabilities — may hold the indispensable key to peace.” Now, that’s a powerful pitch, but it’s worth asking if arming Ukraine to this degree might escalate tensions rather than cool them. Russia’s already warned that such a move would be seen as a major provocation, and the Kremlin isn’t exactly known for restraint.

European Allies Surprised by Delay

Across the Atlantic, European officials were reportedly taken aback by Trump’s hesitation. Two of them told CNN they expected a quicker approval, especially given the Pentagon’s assessment that U.S. readiness wouldn’t suffer. It’s a reminder that not everyone in the West is on the same page when it comes to how far to push the envelope with Moscow.

Meanwhile, the White House and Pentagon have been contacted by outlets like The Hill for confirmation of these developments, though no official word has sealed the deal yet. CNN broke the initial story of the Pentagon’s approval, underscoring that Trump holds the ultimate veto power. It’s a classic case of bureaucratic green lights hitting a political red wall.

From a conservative vantage point, Trump’s caution isn’t unwarranted—handing over cutting-edge weaponry in “massive numbers” could drain resources or embolden adversaries if not managed with an iron grip. Yet, there’s empathy to be had for Ukraine, a nation under siege, fighting for survival against a relentless foe. The balance between supporting allies and safeguarding American interests is a tightrope walk, no question.

Russia’s Warning Looms Large

Russia, for its part, isn’t mincing words, cautioning that supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine would cross a dangerous line. When a nation already leaning on foreign drones and missiles issues such a stark warning, it’s not just posturing—it’s a signal they’re ready to up the ante. This isn’t a game of Risk; real lives and global stability hang in the balance.

So where does this leave us? Zelensky’s argument that delayed weaponry dulls Russia’s appetite for talks has merit, but it’s also a gamble to assume more firepower guarantees peace over escalation. Trump’s deliberation might frustrate some, but it’s a nod to the gravity of arming a war zone with tools of such destructive potential.

In the end, this decision isn’t just about missiles—it’s about whether the U.S. can thread the needle between deterring aggression and avoiding a broader conflict. While progressive voices might push for unchecked support, a measured approach that weighs every consequence isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom. Let’s hope the final call, whatever it may be, prioritizes both security and sanity in a world already on edge.

President Donald Trump only plans to admit 7,500 refugees into the country in 2026, and that includes mostly white Afrikaners fleeing South Africa.

Refugee groups are shocked and dismayed by the move, which reverses the huge numbers of refugees admitted under former President Joe Biden.

Just over 100,000 refugees were admitted to the U.S. in fiscal 2024, the latest year figures were available.

The number of refugees admitted has varied widely in recent years, but the 7,500 figure is historically low.

"A lifeline"

"For more than four decades, the U.S. refugee program has been a lifeline for families fleeing war, persecution, and repression," Krish O’Mara Vignarajah said. "At a time of crisis in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Venezuela to Sudan and beyond, concentrating the vast majority of admissions on one group undermines the program’s purpose as well as its credibility."

Vignarajah leads one of several groups paid by the federal government to resettle refugees in American communities, so of course she would be unhappy with the limits.

“Since the U.S. Refugee Program was created in 1980, it has admitted over two million people fleeing ethnic cleansing and other horrors,” Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, an advocate at the American Immigration Council, said. “Now it will be used as a pathway for White immigration. What a downfall for a crown jewel of America’s international humanitarian programs.”

Refugees are typically given transportation into the country, and unlike illegal or other immigrants, they are eligible for all entitlement and aid programs.

Damage to communities

"Admission numbers will primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa, pursuant to Executive Order 14204, and other victims of illegal or unjust criminal discrimination in their respective homelands… [The order] mandates that the refugees receive the most stringent identification verification of any class of aliens seeking admission or entry to the United States," the Trump directive expected tomorrow reads.

Vice President JD Vance commented on the damage refugees can do to a community when a large number are settled there.

Because of the amount of government benefits they can get and their willingness to live in crowded conditions, they drive up rent prices so that citizens in the community are priced out, he said.

“That completely destroys the ability of Americans to live the American dream, and that’s what those open border policies did,” Vance added.

The presence of the refugees along with illegal immigrants also drives down wages for jobs in the area and puts citizens out of work, because the refugees are willing to work for less.

Trump is trying to reverse this damage by cutting off most illegal immigration and limiting refugees in a way consistent with his America-first policy focus.

President Donald Trump's Transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, announced that the U.S. is cutting off 13 flight routes to Mexico over the country's flagrant disrespect of its commitments to America, Breitbart reported.

Duffy said the U.S. is holding Mexico accountable for years of violations of a bilateral air transport agreement, the 2015 U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement.

The Trump administration's action impacts flights between the U.S. and Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA), which was opened in Mexico City by leftist president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) in 2022.

Flight routes cancelled

Over the last three years, Mexico has been "illegally" cancelling U.S. carrier flights, while all-cargo flights have also been forcibly relocated in violation of the agreement, Duffy said.

Mexico had said the changes were "temporary" to allow for construction to alleviate congestion at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) that has yet to materialize three years later, Duffy said.

Duffy's order also stops the expansion of Mexican carriers' services between MEX and the U.S.

“Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg were too weak to stand up to Mexico when they walked all over our bilateral aviation agreement. These deals are binding, and like our trade agreements, President Trump is going to put America First and enforce them,” said Duffy.

“Until Mexico stops the games and honors its commitments, we will continue to hold them accountable. No country should be able to take advantage of our carriers, our market, and our flyers without repercussions.”

Mexico reacts

The cancellations impact both existing and proposed flight routes for the Mexican airlines Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has requested a meeting between Mexico's foreign minister and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss Duffy's "unilateral" action.

America First

While Trump has the leverage, Sheinbaum has tried her best to save face. In response to the cancelled flight routes, she snapped that Mexico is "no one’s piñata" and said Mexico "must be respected."

"We are not in agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation,” she said.

The report said a Trump administration official confirmed the two nations have an "understanding" and China is not going to "impose the rare earth controls that they proposed."

And China is buying shiploads of soybeans, a development that will please American farmers.

"We have a deal. Now every year we'll renegotiate the deal," Trump said on Air Force One. "All of the rare earth has been settled, and that's for the world."

Leftist bomb thrower Ilhan Omar (D-Mn.) isn't known for showing grace to her enemies - so it comes as quite a surprise that she reportedly defended President Trump during a trip to Europe.

On a recent podcast, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fl.) recounted watching Omar clash with a Belgian diplomat who insulted the House delegation, the Hill repor ted.

Omar defends Trump?

The diplomat commented that Trump does not "respect" Congress and sees lawmakers as a "joke," Luna recalled.

“This, like, blew me away. … She [Omar] looks at the guy, she goes, ‘You might not like what our president is doing and you might not agree with our foreign policy, but when we’re here, you will respect our president," Luna said on Thursday’s “PBD Podcast.”

Out of character

Luna's story is sure to be surprising to many, given Omar's reputation. The Minnesota lawmaker frequently faces calls for her removal from the United States over her incendiary rhetoric and ingratitude toward her adopted country.

Omar faced more backlash in September for disparaging Charlie Kirk after his assassination, calling him a "hateful" figure.

Fleeting unity

Luna acknowledged that the show of unity in Europe, while "pleasantly surprising," was only a fleeting moment.

“There’s always this push and pull in politics, and politics is messy, but I didn’t expect that being on a delegation with a foreign government,” she said on the podcast.

“But [Omar] said that. And I think at that point in time, when you have that type of unified front, especially in dealing with the EU, it was pleasantly surprising,” Luna added.

“It’s about, and you don’t ever want to make friends in politics, especially this game, because ultimately you realize that it’s a very transactional field,” she added. “But in that instance, I appreciated that she provided a united front to … the jerk.”

Setting the bar low

Yes, it's shocking that Omar defended Trump, if it is true.... but it's nothing to be impressed by.

There is very, very little that Republicans have in common with a radical figure like Ilhan Omar, who has expressed pure hatred over and over for ICE, for Trump, and for America as we know it.

Republicans should remember that and not allow feel-good sentimentality to cloud their vision.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a sweeping move to curb the use of foreign worker visas in the state's higher education system, declaring that Florida will "pull the plug" on the use of H-1B visas at its public universities and instead prioritize hiring American and Florida-resident workers.

Speaking from Tallahassee, DeSantis said, "We can do it with our residents of Florida and with Americans." The directive, issued to the Florida Board of Governors, orders the system overseeing the state's universities to end reliance on temporary visa holders and ensure taxpayer-funded institutions hire qualified U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

The announcement comes amid growing national scrutiny of the H-1B visa program, which critics say has been exploited by corporations and universities to replace American professionals with lower-cost foreign labor. DeSantis' order makes Florida the first state to take such decisive executive action at the university level, positioning his administration at the forefront of state-led efforts to restore fairness in the labor market.

\WND staff has remained in direct contact with Florida officials throughout 2025 regarding reports of visa-related abuses impacting the state. In May, federal agencies received a multi-agency whistleblower report detailing an alleged foreign-run labor funnel operating through F-1, OPT and STEM-OPT visa pathways tied to Miles Education Pvt. Ltd. and its U.S. affiliates. That same month, the documentation and supporting evidence were also shared with Florida authorities for review.

The report requested criminal and civil rights investigations and outlined evidence involving Florida universities, employers, CPA boards and state licensing systems.

According to the report, Miles and its network of partner institutions constructed what is described as a foreign labor funnel disguised as education, exploiting student visa programs to channel low-cost foreign labor into U.S. firms while bypassing American applicants. WND independently confirmed that materials identifying Florida-based connections were included in the submission package provided to state officials.

DeSantis' leadership marks a growing shift among states seeking to address what many describe as Washington's failure to protect American workers from visa misuse. His directive could serve as a model for governors nationwide to follow.

President Trump oversaw the signing of a cease-fire between Cambodia and Thailand as he began a whirlwind five-day tour of Asia.

The leaders of Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia all thanked the president for his leadership at a summit in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, NBC News reported.

"On behalf of the United States, I’m proud to help settle this conflict and forge a future for the region,” Trump said.

Trump signs peace deal

The Thailand-Cambodia peace deal was formalized Sunday as Trump arrived in Malaysia, whose prime minister Anwar Ibrahim helped mediate the deal.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, while Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also offered his “sincere appreciation” for the president's efforts.

Trump used the threat of higher tariffs against Cambodia and Thailand, both export-dependent nations, to end their five-day border conflict after it erupted in July, killing dozens and displacing hundreds of thousands.

“Millions of people are alive today because of this peace treaty,” Trump declared Sunday.

Donald's new "hobby"

Speaking weeks after he brokered peace in Gaza, Trump quipped that ending wars has become a "hobby" of his as he claimed to end eight different conflicts and teased another for him to solve, as border clashes heat up between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“I shouldn’t say it’s a hobby, because it’s so much more serious than a hobby, but it’s something that I’m good at, and it’s something I love to do,” Trump said.

“I heard that Pakistan and Afghanistan have started up. But I’ll get that solved very quickly,” he said.

Calling out Putin

While Trump has found success as a peacemaker in his second term, his efforts to end the war in Ukraine have proven fruitless, so far.

“I don’t think it’s an appropriate thing for Putin to be saying. By the way, he ought to get the war ended. A war that should have taken one week is now in its, soon, fourth year. That’s what he ought to do instead of testing missiles,” Trump said.

Deal with Xi?

Before leaving Malaysia, Trump also signed trade deals to open up Southeast Asia to American imports and expand American access to key minerals.

The flurry of dealmaking is expected to culminate in an agreement to end the China trade war, which has placed significant pressure on American farmers. Trump will meet with President Xi of China in South Korea on Thursday.

“I have a lot of respect for President Xi, and we are going to come away with the deal,” Trump said.

The war launched by terrorists in Hamas against Israel two years ago, when an invasion cost the lives of some 1,200 Israeli civilians with another 250 were kidnapped, apparently is winding down, under a multipoint plan authored by President Donald Trump.

It called for the release of the last living hostages, which has happened. The bodies of dead hostages still are being located. The Gaza region is ultimately to be run by a multi-party coalition.

But for now, Hamas still retains huge political influence in the region, and a journalist now is warning Arab Gulf states against contributing to the reconstruction process there until that status changes.

"The potential for embezzlement and re-channeling of funds for terrorist purposes is not a theoretical concern but a tangible reality. The fundamental question today is: who can guarantee that this scenario will not repeat itself? Hamas still holds power, the civil administration is in a state of collapse, and prospects for a political solution are nowhere in sight. Reconstruction through traditional channels without strict oversight guarantees is a costly venture. The massive reconstruction bill could turn into a long-term economic and political trap, the price of which generations of Gulf citizens will have to pay without any real redeeming value for ordinary Palestinians," explained Salem Al-Ketbi, an Emirati political analyst, in a report compiled by the Middle East Media Research Institute.

MEMRI explained that Al-Ketbi charged that financial involvement in Gaza "is a very risky venture, given that aid provided in the past to Hamas-controlled Gaza, intended for building schools and hospitals and other civilian purposes, was largely seized by Hamas and channeled to military projects."

He wrote there's increasing pressure for funding to pay for the reconstruction of a region decimated in the war triggered by Hamas. In fact, many schools and hospitals there have been destroyed as Hamas terrorists often would use those locations as shields for their military campaigns.

"Behind the slogans of humanitarian obligations lurk complex interests and political stakes that may not match the true intentions. Discussions of [the] aid in question [go] beyond emergency relief. They extend to massive investments in an environment still under Hamas control. The estimated cost of reconstruction exceeds $70 billion, and the effort could span three full decades," he wrote.

"Based on past precedents one cannot be very optimistic. UN reports in 2023 revealed that more than $7 billion have been transferred to Gaza since 2006, including $2 billion provided by the Gulf states. Funds were allocated to the building of schools and hospitals, but most of the money was diverted to illicit purposes," Al-Ketbi said.

"Hamas channeled most of the funds to its military projects, [and] the small share spent on construction benefited the movement's cadres and leaders, while ordinary Palestinians were left to simmer in dire conditions."

He noted that, for example, about $1 billion was spent on a network of hundreds of miles of military tunnels.

He said Gulf states should avoid entering a campaign in which terrorists could embezzle money, and use the purchased weapons against those very states.

"The glaring paradox lies in the position of certain regional states whose direct role in financing the terrorism of Hamas is well-documented. As a clear example, Iran publicly boasts that it has pumped $700 million annually into Hamas's coffers, according to statements by Tehran and the Palestinian militant group's leaders. Meanwhile, other regional countries have provided [a] safe haven to Hamas' leaders and supported them with hundreds of millions annually. These countries, which directly, publicly, and continuously fund Hamas, some of which harbour clear animosity towards Arab Gulf states, have not been held accountable for their role in supporting terrorism. So why should the Gulf states, which have been victims to Hamas' embezzlement, be asked to foot a huge portion of the $70 billion bill?"

He continued, "The wise position is clear and unequivocal: no money for Gaza, no billions for reconstruction, and no massive Gulf investments as long as Hamas remains in control of the Strip."

A sitting Democrat senator has threatened "legal jeopardy" for members of the U.S. Armed Forces being dispatched by President Donald Trump to fight the drug war for Americans.

The comments come from Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, who was interviewed this weekend about the president's efforts to eliminate the flood of illegal and deadly drugs being smuggled into the United States by cartels intent on making money and allowing Americans to die in the process.

That program has included strikes on boats carrying thousands of pounds of deadly drugs to America. The drugs sometimes have been confiscated, other times destroyed. A number of the smugglers have died in the strikes.

"Is Kelly, a veteran who served as a Navy pilot in the Gulf War and as a NASA astronaut, trying to encourage mutiny within the ranks to get service members to refuse orders for fear of prosecution by a future Democrat administration?" wondered the Gateway Pundit.

He was asked, "I want to talk about Venezuela. The Pentagon is now sending a carrier strike group. You know the massive amount of firepower on a carrier strike group. What is your take on what is happening with these suspected drug boats. Is it legal?"

The senator charged, "It's questionable. And the White House and the Department of Defense could not give us a logical explanation on how this is legal. They were tying themselves in knots trying to explain this. We had a lot of questions for them, both Democrats and Republicans. It was not a good meeting. It did not go well. They have a secret list of 20 something — 24 organizations that they have now authorized to use — use kinetic action against without the normal approach that we have for law enforcement. Hey, we don't want drugs in this country, especially fentanyl. But all these drugs, we — we should be working really hard to interdict them and prosecute the individuals that are smuggling drugs, not putting young service members at great, legal jeopardy."

It was the other Democrat senator from Arizona, Ruben Gallego, who went even further, claiming defending Americans from lethal and criminal drug cartels is "murder."

"It's very dangerous what he's doing…to these men and women who have to make these calls for a president who has zero understanding about the responsibility someone has when it comes to having to make life and death decisions," he said.

He charged, "It's murder. It's very simple. If this president feels they are doing something illegally, then he should be using the Coast Guard. If this is an act of war, then you use our military and then you come and talk to us first. But this is murder … it's disgusting."

The Gateway Pundit pointed out that the Democrats were corrected by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who "served as an Air Force JAG officer for over three decades (active duty, Guard and Reserves) including wartime service in Iraq and Afghanistan."

He said, "Our military is doing exactly what they should: Following lawful orders to protect Americans from narco-terrorists who seek to wreak havoc on our communities."

Under Barack Obama's tenure in the White House, he ordered a long list of drone strikes on targets he chose, killing hundreds. That death toll actually included Americans.