Moore raises legal concerns about U.S. strikes on drug‑running boats, cites War Powers timing and intelligence gaps

Congressman Blake Moore said classified briefings and recent reporting have prompted legal and oversight concerns over U.S. strikes on drug‑running boats in the Caribbean. "These strikes have taken place without congressional AUMF," he told callers, adding that the actions have been described by officials as a "non‑international armed conflict." He said that status can trigger War Powers time limits tied to the president's authority to use military force.

Moore said the administration faces two choices when that statutory timeframe elapses: seek a congressional Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), or argue the operations do not legally constitute hostilities that trigger the War Powers clock. "The 60 day clock would actually expire on November 3," he said during the call, framing the issue as time‑sensitive for Congress and requiring careful classification and intelligence oversight.

The congressman also said intelligence sharing from allies has shifted; he told constituents he is "very concerned that the British are no longer sharing intelligence with us in the Caribbean region," calling the development notable because the U.K. is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence partnership. Moore said the shift in collection and partner cooperation heightens his attention to the legal threshold for military action.

Moore said he supports strong efforts to stop drug flows while also insisting on proper legal footing and congressional consultation. "We need to make sure we get this right," he said, and he described further classified briefings and staff work on the issue as ongoing. The town hall did not include representatives of the executive branch to respond to the congressman’s characterization.