Staff Reports
Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee has floated a rather unorthodox yet constitutionally sound approach to tackling the menace of Mexican drug cartels. Buckle up, because this is not your typical congressional noodle-scratching solution. According to Lee, the U.S. Congress can resurrect the practice of issuing “letters of marque and reprisal,” a legal mechanism dating back to the high seas piracy days. In essence, Congress could turn law-abiding citizens into privateers, transforming average Americans into frontline fighters against drug trafficking operations that plague the southern border.
A brief history lesson: Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to issue these letters, which essentially serve as government-endorsed licenses for individuals to engage in acts typically deemed piracy. Lee points out that while the last issuance happened over a century ago, the power to reinstate this practice remains firmly within the grasp of Congress. His vision involves private citizens and security firms intercepting cartel operations and dismantling their supply chains—think of it as a modern-day Wild West showdown, but with a lot more paperwork involved.
Mike Lee Setting Stage for US Citizens Themselves to Declare War on Drug Cartels, Keep Spoils: U.S. citizens can legally attack cartels if Congress gives permission. Sen. Mike Lee is working to set the stage for that to happen. Here’s how. https://t.co/mxotFkFkFS pic.twitter.com/Z5cl2yeVb1
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) February 10, 2025
Under this plan, would-be privateers could disrupt drug shipments and human trafficking pipelines and, as an added bonus, keep a portion of any loot they recover. It’s like a bizarre game of pirate treasure hunt, but with modern-day implications. Instead of being restricted by the cumbersome bureaucracy of military operations, these private operatives would have the agility to adapt to the cartels’ ever-evolving tactics. In a world where drones are being jammed and traffickers are getting more tech-savvy by the minute, this kind of flexibility could be the ace up America’s sleeve.
Despite its potential effectiveness, Lee acknowledges that this idea might ruffle some feathers among those who worship the altar of international law over American sovereignty. Some critics might take issue with the thought of everyday citizens wielding such power, but Lee argues that when faced with the escalating threat of drug cartels—who, by the way, are now daring enough to target planes deporting illegal aliens—the time for conventional approaches may have passed.
The reality remains stark: the current state of national security is in a precarious position, thanks to years of neglect and, let’s be real, some rather uninspired policies at the southern border. Cartels are not only enjoying a disturbing level of empowerment, but they’ve also been sharpening their technological capabilities to evade detection. As these criminals navigate the waters of chaos, Americans must insist on solutions that not only protect the homeland but do so with the spirit of innovation and, dare it be said, a touch of adventurous capitalism.
Lee’s proposal might just be the spark needed to ignite a conversation about how America can reclaim control over its borders—not just with walls, but with creative use of the tools the Founding Fathers laid down. In the face of growing cartel power, a little ingenuity, coupled with a historical nod to privateering, might be exactly what is needed to restore order and safety on the high seas of the southern border. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking.
