Justice Department Faces Call for Internal Probe into Legal Opinion on Venezuelan Boat Strikes
A bipartisan group of former federal ethics officials has requested an internal investigation by the Justice Department into a legal opinion that justified U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-running boats in South American waters. The request was sent to the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility, questioning whether the Office of Legal Counsel violated professional legal responsibilities. The officials, including Norm Eisen, Richard Painter, and Virginia Canter, cited a report indicating that the legal opinion protected personnel involved in the strikes from future prosecution. The Trump administration has defended these strikes as necessary, citing a 'non-international armed conflict' with drug cartels. However, legal experts have challenged this justification, arguing that drug cartels do not qualify as organized armed groups under international law. 
