Trump uses military force to justify summary executions and evade legal scrutiny

In September 2025, during multiple controversial actions, President Donald Trump utilized U.S. military force to target alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea, leading to the deaths of 14 individuals. Trump justified these summary executions by citing his constitutional authority as the Commander in Chief aimed at protecting national interests. Critics argued that this unprecedented use of military force against non-resisting suspects sets a dangerous precedent for presidential power and accountability. The federal courts have challenged Trump’s expansive interpretation of his authority, particularly regarding tariffs, by ruling against his claims that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act allowed for unreviewable decisions. The courts emphasized that the IEEPA does not provide unlimited power to modify tax schedules approved by Congress. Nevertheless, Trump's administration maintains that his decision-making should not be subject to judicial review. Further illustrating this trend, Trump has recently targeted political opponents through potential legal actions and filed civil suits against media outlets over unfavorable reporting. He has also openly expressed willingness to use federal resources against crime in American cities, claiming that such actions are justified under the premise of national security. Throughout this period, Trump's actions, including civilian military strikes and threats against journalists and political figures, collectively present a coherent narrative of an administration progressively indifferent to democratic norms and accountability. The pattern of increasingly bold assertions of authority underlines a cornerstone of his administration that has raised alarm among political observers and advocates for democracy.