Trump Thinks His Administration Is ‘Like Pirates’
They’re seizing ships, plundering cargo, and inflicting casualties on the high seas.
TL;DR
- The U.S. Navy was historically established to fight piracy and defend American commercial interests.
- President Trump has characterized his administration's actions, such as seizing cargo and oil, as being 'like pirates.'
- The Trump administration has been conducting strikes against boats in the Pacific and Caribbean without clear legal justification or due process.
- A senator has proposed allowing the U.S. government to commission privateers to combat drug traffickers, a concept historically associated with piracy.
- Despite causing over 200 deaths, these strikes have not diminished the cocaine trade to the United States.
- Trump's approach prioritizes financial gain through seizing assets over upholding freedom of navigation, as seen with seized Venezuelan oil tankers.
- The historical U.S. role in the Strait of Hormuz would be to defend free navigation, but Trump's focus is on financial gain and maximalist language.
- Seizing ships and cargo, while alluring, carries significant financial costs and risks, potentially undermining the prosperity enabled by free navigation.