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Trump and Hegseth's Boat Strikes Are International Terrorism
It falls on us, the American people, to hold the president and secretary of defense to account by strongly voicing our objection to their acts of international terrorism and by electing a Congress in 2026 that will impeach and convict them for their crimes.
Jan 06, 2026
There has been much heated discussion of the United States Navy’s attacks, ordered by the President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, against numerous unidentified boats and their unidentified occupants. Many have characterized these lethal strikes as crimes under international law, which is valid position. However, what is less understood and more relevant is that the attacks are crimes under United States law and that they also constitute “international terrorism” as that term is defined in United States law.
Title 18 USC §2331 defines international terrorism as “violent acts or acts dangerous to human life” that:
- “Involve violent acts or acts dangerous to human life…;”
- Either are a crime under United States law regardless of where they are committed or would be a crime if committed within the United States; that
- "Appear to be intended... to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or... to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction [or] assassination...; and”
- “Occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States."
The first, third, and fourth of those conditions are clearly met by the attacks off the coast of Venezuela because:
- 1) It is unquestionably true that the attacks on the boats have been violent and dangerous to human life because they have killed over 100 people;
- 3) Despite Trump’s and Hegseth’s ridiculous claim that the destruction of the boats and their occupants is necessary to stop the flow of fentanyl into the US, the real reason, as disclosed by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, is that they were using the attacks to force Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power, i.e. “to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or... to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction [or] assassination…;” and
- 4) They have occurred in international waters far outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
It is the second condition, i.e. whether the attacks (a) are a crime under United States law wherever they are committed or (b) would be a crime if committed in the United States, that determines whether they meet the definition of international terrorism under the law. If either or both are true, the condition is met.
As to the first alternative, i.e. whether the attacks are a violation of federal criminal law that applies regardless of where the attacks occur, the relevant federal criminal law is 18 USC § 2280. It provides that a person “who unlawfully and intentionally… performs an act of violence against a person on board a ship if that act is likely to endanger the safe navigation of that ship" or who "destroys a ship" commits a crime punishable by a fine or a prison sentence of "not more than 20 years, or both,” and if a death results from the violence or destruction, by a sentence of death or life imprisonment. The law’s definition of “ship” includes “a vessel of any type whatsoever,” i.e. the boats are ships within the meaning of the law. Finally, there is jurisdiction under the law when a person who commits the action is a “national of the United States.”
It is indisputable that the attacks constitute acts of violence against the people on the boats and that all of the boats have intentionally been destroyed. And even though Trump, Hegseth, and others have claimed that the attacks are lawful, their arguments do not stand up to even mild scrutiny. Their claim of lawfulness is based on a fictional state of war against the US, but there is in fact no war, no direct threat to the United States or its citizens, and no authorization by Congress for use of deadly force. Therefore, the attacks are clearly unlawful. Finally, Trump, Hegseth, and those in the chain of command who participated in ordering and commission of the attacks are nationals of the United States, so they fall within the jurisdiction of USC § 2280. Because the attacks have caused the death of those on the boats, the maximum penalty is death or life imprisonment, which means it is a Class A felony per 18 USC § 3559. Therefore, the attacks are a crime under United States law.
The attacks on the boats also meet the alternative standard that they “would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States.” That is, the intentional killing of people without due process, i.e. unlawfully, is the crime of murder pursuant to 18 USC §1111(a).
It is shameful for our country and our people that international terrorism is being openly committed by our government in our name.
The conclusion is that the attacks clearly constitute crimes of violence against maritime navigation and murder under United States law. Therefore, the attacks are acts of international terrorism per 18 USC §2331. That is, Trump, Hegseth, and those in the chain of command that furthered the implementation of these attacks are international terrorists. And because the attacks are being made by the United States armed forces in the name of the United States government, it follows that the United States is now a state sponsor of international terrorism.
Even though the Supreme Court has given Trump immunity and impunity, and even though the Department of Justice under Pam Bondi will never prosecute Hegseth, et al., under 18 USC § 2280 or for murder, that does not affect the conclusion that the attacks on the boats are acts of international terrorism as defined by 18 USC §2331, and that the United States is now a state sponsor of international terrorism. The facts speak for themselves.
I believe it is important that the American people recognize that the attacks on the boats constitute international terrorism under United States law and that the United States has thus become a state sponsor of international terrorism. The United States government has condemned, and continues to condemn, foreign governments, e.g. Iran, as alleged state sponsors of international terrorism. That the United States government has now become the world’s most egregious state sponsor of international terrorism makes those condemnations of other countries utter hypocrisy.
It is shameful for our country and our people that international terrorism is being openly committed by our government in our name. It falls on us, the American people, to hold the president and secretary of defense to account by strongly voicing our objection to their acts of international terrorism and by electing a Congress in 2026 that will impeach and convict them for their crimes. Only then can the United States begin to expunge the stain of being a state sponsor of international terrorism.
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Why the Trump Admin Can't Investigate Minnesota Fraud Without Scapegoating Somalis
By framing what’s occurring in Minnesota as ‘the Somali fraud network,’ the Trump administration is looking to legitimize its months-long attack on the Somali community and distract from its own unpopularity.
Jan 03, 2026
On December 26, YouTuber Nick Shirley posted a video entitled, “I Investigated Minnesota’s Billion Dollar Fraud Scandal.” So far, the video has amassed over 2 million views and has been lauded by major conservatives including Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance. Via Twitter, Vance posted that, “This dude has done far more useful journalism than any of the winners of the 2024 @pulitzercenter prize.”
In response to the outcry from this video, the Trump administration is reportedly freezing federal childcare funding across all states. Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary Jim O’Neill called the measure necessary given the “blatant fraud that appears to be rampant in Minnesota and across the country.” While each state will face new requirements to regain funding, Minnesota will be subject to stricter scrutiny.
This is a drastic response, especially since Shirley’s video didn’t reveal anything new. The Department of Justice (DOJ)—under both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden—was already investigating fraud in Minnesota. In 2022, 47 people were charged for their role in a $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded nutrition program during the Covid-19 pandemic. Several news outlets had reported on allegations of fraud regarding federally funded childcare centers in Minnesota months prior to Shirley’s video.
Shirley also doesn’t discover any new evidence. This is unsurprising given his deeply flawed approach. For instance, in the video, Shirley and his crew visit several Somali-owned daycare centers and ask the workers: “Where are the children at? Are there children here today?” Even if fraud was occurring at the sites he visited, the workers’ refusal to take a stranger with a camera to see the kids reveals nothing. Maybe there were no kids present. Or maybe they are simply responsible workers protecting the safety of the children from a potential creep.
This is not about fraud. It’s not about justice. It’s poor political theater from a battered and desperate administration.
Ultimately, if widespread fraud is occurring anywhere, then the people responsible should be held accountable. The problem, however, is that this outrage is being manipulated by the Trump administration to further scapegoat the Somali community.
Consider for instance this comment made by Attorney General Pamela Bondi via Twitter-X. She writes that the DOJ has been investigating this alleged daycare fraud case for months. Thus far, the department has “charged 98 individual—85 of Somali descent—and more than 60 have been found guilty in court.”
There is no reason whatsoever for Bondi to draw attention to the ethnic or racial background of any of the people being charged. She is emphasizing that information in order to help fuel and justify the Trump administration’s xenophobia.
By framing what’s occurring in Minnesota as “the Somali fraud network,” the Trump administration is looking to legitimize their months-long attack on the Somali community. In December alone, President Trump remarked: “We always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster, right? Filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime. The only thing they’re good at is going after ships.” Vice President JD Vance said that Democrats “are not sending their best” in reference to Minnesota State Senator Omar Fateh. He claimed that Fateh was Representative Ilhan Omar’s “candidate for mayor of Mogadishu. Wait, I mean Minneapolis.” US Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller shouted, “If Somalians cannot make Somalia successful, why would we think that the track will be any different in the United States?”
The Trump administration is exploiting public outrage to further its assault on immigrants and their families. Already House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) has called for deporting all Somalis linked to fraud in Minnesota, including naturalized citizens. He further adds, “Our nation will not tolerate those who take advantage of our charity and refuse to assimilate into our culture.” Putting aside that most fraud in the US is committed by white Americans, stipulating that the US will not tolerate those who fail to embrace US culture has far wider implications than punishing criminals. This is about punishing diversity.
This is also why the administration has moved to freeze all federal childcare funding. Again, this fraud was already known and is still being investigated. To implement a measure that so indiscriminately and callously harms Americans—during an affordability crisis—is meant to redirect people’s genuine frustrations with the Trump administration onto the Somali community.
They will be the scapegoats for Trump’s violence. And they are only the beginning. On December 31, Trump posted on Truth Social: “There is more FRAUD in California than there is in Minnesota, if that is even possible. When you add in Election Fraud, then they are tied for first. Two Crooked Governors, two Crooked States!”
Trump will capitalize on the public’s legitimate concerns about fraud to attack his political opponents, like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. He will use it to further villainize immigrants. After all, California is the state with the nation’s largest immigrant population—guess who will be blamed for fraud there?
Trump has regularly insisted that Democrats “use Illegal Aliens to expand their Voter Base, cheat in Elections, and grow the Welfare State, robbing good paying Jobs and Benefits from Hardworking American Citizens.” These fraud allegations provide him with the perfect opportunity to extend this false narrative. The fact that the DOJ’s investigation thus far has charged less than 100 people is irrelevant. Most of them are of Somali descent, and Minnesota’s governor is a Democrat (who just ran against him as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential pick). That’s all Trump and his allies care about.
This is not about fraud. A truly anti-fraud president would not commute the sentence of David Gentile, a private equity executive convicted for his role in a $1.6 billion Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of investors. As part of his pardon, Gentile will no longer be required to pay $15.5 million in restitution to his victims. Perhaps if Gentile were of Somali descent, then Trump would be more concerned with justice and respect for the law.
There is no legitimate rationale for withholding childcare funding from the entire country because of the actions committed by so few. Trump supporters might argue that this extreme measure simply demonstrates President Trump’s unwavering and firm commitment to law and order. That he is simply rooting out fraud from the system in the most direct way possible.
But if this is true, then why only take these measures after a YouTuber posts a video about it? Why wait until there is public outcry?
It’s because that outcry; these extreme measures; and this anti-Somali, xenophobic framing are all politically useful for the Trump administration. This is not about fraud. It’s not about justice. It’s poor political theater from a battered and desperate administration.
2025 was a difficult year for the country, and 2026 is starting off on a rough foot. As the midterm elections approach, the Trump administration will likely resort to more drastic and violent measures. We cannot give into despair. Trump is waging a battle of attrition against the American public. He wants us stressed, afraid, and divided. The only remedy is for us to remain vigilant, unyielding, and united.
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Donald Trump’s First Year Report Card Made Public: D+
Trump spent 2025 in a full-throated effort to destroy US democracy.
Dec 28, 2025
We have found President Donald Trump’s second term White House report card. Before he prevents its publication—as he did for his record in business school—I present it here.
Trump spent 2025 in a full-throated effort to destroy US democracy. His preferred form of rule is totalitarianism where all institutions, political parties, and the masses are subservient to state control. In some subjects, Donald succeeded remarkably well: in forming a federal police state, controlling the media, and making money for the Trump name. But he earns only a D+ because he doesn’t pay attention, never reads, spells poorly (covfefe?), has an F in economics (Tariffs?? Inflation? Skyrocketing deficit? Affordability?), cheats at everything (golf?), and has failed to silence the American public.
Law and Order: C-
Initially, Americans accepted nighttime arrests, like those of Josef Stalin’s secret sadistic police thugs. Trump unleashed untrained, violent federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on the public, many of whom have failed drug tests, have disqualifying criminal backgrounds, and don’t meet physical or academic requirements to serve. His minions have orchestrated the extrajudicial incarcerations and exiles, but most of those arrested have no criminal history. Ultimately, the courts rejected extralegal arrests, and the Supreme Court ruled that the dictator cannot order US troops into democratic cities.
Buying Influence and Getting Paid for It: A-
Russian President Vladimir Putin has socked away billions including in a secret palace, while his gas and oil oligarchs try to keep him content at war. Both dictator Putin and Trump succeeded well in establishing corrupt oligarchic regimes where political power and the ability to make money overlap. There is a close relationship between presidential pardons and presidential enrichment. In fact, money is the raison d'être of Trumpist totalitarianism. His one legislative success, a “big beautiful bill,” makes the rich richer; the poor more poor; and cuts funding for food, housing, and healthcare.
Crushing Political Opponents: C-
At least Trump doesn’t order the assassination of his opponents, like Putin. Instead, he orders the Justice Department to prosecute them. Trump’s arrests extend to officials who stood up to his lies. He ordered aggressive prosecution of: former adviser John Bolton, former FBI director James Comey, and others. He threatens judges, governors and congresspeople.
Quality of Appointees: D+
Purposely, Trump hires people who lack spines. They include: wide-eyed men who ferry their girlfriends around on government jets; former governors who give no-bid multimillion dollar contracts to friends; a dozen DAs who do not know the law; and Pam Bondi. It helps to be a felon—and father of his son-in-law—to become ambassador to France. The long list is covfefe.
Foreign Policy: D-
Dictators are good a bullying neighbors, but the results rarely pan out. Putin is now in the fourth year of a three-day war on Ukraine. Trump has not made Canada the 51st state; has not annexed Greenland; has picked a battle with Venezuela to distract Americans; carried out a secret attack on Yemen through an open app; and his attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities was a military and financial failure. Tariffs?
Military Might: B
Trump is striving to destroy US defense capabilities. He hired Christian nationalist Pete Hegseth to purge the Pentagon of flab, women,and African Americans. (Stalin arrested and murdered tens of thousands of leading officers on the eve of World War II—destroying Red Army leadership.). Meanwhile, to augment his Star Trek Space Force, Trump ordered the production of “Trump” class battleships which are obsolete, costly, and vulnerable. Fortunately, the Pentagon is resilient.
Naming Things After Himself: A+
Like Soviet leader Stalin and his ilk, Trump likes to named things after himself, even government buildings, not content with his golf courses, resorts, and towers. He affixes faux gold leaf to his surroundings: the Kennedy Center a la Trump; the Golden Dome missile defense; the Home Depot plastic gold leaf on the White House walls; Trump games and magazines, mobile phones; a failed airline; a failed university; wines; and steaks, vodka, ice, ale, and watches. “A” for effort.
Control of the Media: C+
Donald follows the Putin path. Putin forced all major TV channels to submit to the Kremlin. As Putin said: “There should be patriotically-minded people at the head of state information resources, people who uphold the interests of the Russian Federation. These are state resources. That is the way it is going to be.” Like the coerced appointment of a censor for CBS News, Putin established an inspectorate for IT and mass media to control press and the internet.
Trump’s attack on free speech has involved removing more than 8,000 government web pages; cutting funding to public broadcasting; barring several press organizations from the White House press; and operating his Truth Social White House propaganda outlet to carry out personal attacks on journalists and the media generally, most recently the New York Times, which he called a threat to national security. The attacks on the media have been made easier by their concentration in the hands of Trump oligarchs and appointees who also censor free speech.
Sexual Depravity: D-
Stalin surrounded himself with such criminals as secret police chief and rapist Lavrenty Beria. Putin is now promoting underage marriage to fight against a plummeting Russian fertility rate. Trump stonewalled, obfuscated, and obstructed to keep references to his behavior with underage girls under wraps. But not even hardened MAGites, who at one time tolerated a president convicted of sexual assault, a man who boasted of “pussy grabbing,” think that participation of any sort in the Epstein scandal is appropriate.
The American Public: A+
The wheels of justice were assisted here both by lackeys at the Department of Justice who are failing to cleanse Trump’s name from the Epstein documents, and especially by the American people who prefer democracy to totalitarian rule under a deceitful, bloviating, and narcissistic wannabe dictator who is only in it for the money.
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