- Joined
- Dec 31, 2024
- Messages
- 573
- Reaction score
- 553
- Points
- 108
Copied this from FB.
Sen. Mike Lee Proposes Letters of Marque to Target Cartel Smuggling in the Caribbean
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) has introduced new legislation aimed at combating drug cartels and maritime smuggling operations in the Caribbean. The proposal would authorize President Donald Trump to issue Letters of Marque and Reprisal, empowering private American operators to target cartel vessels operating outside U.S. territory.
The bill, titled the Cartel Marque and Reprisal Reauthorization Act, would allow the president to commission U.S. citizens to seize cartel property and detain individuals involved in trafficking activities on land or at sea beyond U.S. borders.
Letters of Marque and Reprisal have historical precedent in American law. During the Revolutionary War, the U.S. government issued these licenses to private citizens, permitting them to arm their ships and engage British vessels on the high seas. In return, privateers were allowed to keep or sell the captured ships and cargo, supplementing the fledgling U.S. Navy.
While exact figures vary, historians estimate that between 500 and 1,000 Letters of Marque were issued during the Revolutionary War, with some records citing approximately 834 authorizations over the course of the conflict.
Historically, the purpose of Letters of Marque was to expand naval capacity at minimal cost to the government by incentivizing private citizens to disrupt enemy commerce. Senator Lee’s proposal seeks to revive this constitutional mechanism as a modern tool against transnational criminal organizations operating in international waters.
#army #navy #airforce #Marines #pirates #marquee
#johnpauljones #vetradiosyndicate #senator #cartel
#SEALs #MikeLee #congress #JDVance #Trump
Sen. Mike Lee Proposes Letters of Marque to Target Cartel Smuggling in the Caribbean
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) has introduced new legislation aimed at combating drug cartels and maritime smuggling operations in the Caribbean. The proposal would authorize President Donald Trump to issue Letters of Marque and Reprisal, empowering private American operators to target cartel vessels operating outside U.S. territory.
The bill, titled the Cartel Marque and Reprisal Reauthorization Act, would allow the president to commission U.S. citizens to seize cartel property and detain individuals involved in trafficking activities on land or at sea beyond U.S. borders.
Letters of Marque and Reprisal have historical precedent in American law. During the Revolutionary War, the U.S. government issued these licenses to private citizens, permitting them to arm their ships and engage British vessels on the high seas. In return, privateers were allowed to keep or sell the captured ships and cargo, supplementing the fledgling U.S. Navy.
While exact figures vary, historians estimate that between 500 and 1,000 Letters of Marque were issued during the Revolutionary War, with some records citing approximately 834 authorizations over the course of the conflict.
Historically, the purpose of Letters of Marque was to expand naval capacity at minimal cost to the government by incentivizing private citizens to disrupt enemy commerce. Senator Lee’s proposal seeks to revive this constitutional mechanism as a modern tool against transnational criminal organizations operating in international waters.
#army #navy #airforce #Marines #pirates #marquee
#johnpauljones #vetradiosyndicate #senator #cartel
#SEALs #MikeLee #congress #JDVance #Trump
