\n<\/p>\n
When Whipple questioned Wiles on the fatalities involved in the strikes, saying \u201cDrug smuggling is not a death penalty offense, even if the president wishes it were,\u201d Wiles agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s not. I\u2019m not saying that it is. I\u2019m saying that this is a war on drugs. [It\u2019s] unlike another one that we\u2019ve seen. But that\u2019s what this is.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response, Whipple said \u201cObviously it\u2019s a war declared only by the president and without any congressional approval.”<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t need it yet,\u201d Wiles replied. When asked at an October press conference<\/a> why he had yet to request a declaration of war from Congress, he responded “I don’t think we’re going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war. I think we\u2019re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Wiles admitted then that an attack on Venezuelan mainland would require congressional approval. \u201cIf he were to authorize some activity on land, then it\u2019s war, then [we\u2019d need] Congress. But Marco [Rubio]<\/strong> and JD [Vance]<\/strong>, to some extent, are up on the Hill every day, briefing,” she said.<\/p>\n When asked in October about the administration’s legal authority to engage in the boat strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested it wasn’t his place to respond. \u201cObviously, that\u2019s a DOD [Department of Defense] operation. So I\u2019m not in any way disavowing it. I agree with it 100 percent. I think we\u2019re on very strong, firm footing, but I don\u2019t want to be giving legal answers on behalf of the White House or the Department of War.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite Trump’s 2025 remarks regarding the boat strikes and other action against Venezuela, Wiles maintained last year<\/a> that the president was not eager to engage in war. \u201cI think the country is beginning to see that he\u2019s proud to be an agent of peace,” she said then. \u201cI think that surprises people. Doesn\u2019t surprise me, but it doesn\u2019t fit with the Donald Trump people think they know.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n