The United States isn’t being rolled over anymore. The Trump admin isn’t having it.
And now President Trump’s put the world on notice by sending out this one threatening message.
Trump Administration Eased Military Strike Restrictions on Global Terrorists
In a move that reinforced the aggressive counterterrorism tactics seen during his first term, former President Donald Trump expanded military authority to conduct strikes on terrorist organizations worldwide, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Friday. The changes, which were initially reported by CBS News, mark a significant shift from the restrictions imposed by President Joe Biden’s administration, granting U.S. military commanders greater freedom to target terrorists in areas outside of active combat zones.
Trump’s policy changes come as the Biden administration had largely continued the counterterrorism strategies put in place by President Barack Obama. Biden’s rules were more focused, often limiting strikes to senior leadership of terrorist groups. Under Trump’s adjusted policies, however, there is a broader scope for conducting special operations and airstrikes, potentially including targets like al-Shabaab in Somalia and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Trump’s first administration had made strides in counterterrorism, launching numerous strikes against al-Shabaab and effectively decimating ISIS in the Middle East, as documented by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. However, ISIS has made a resurgence in recent years, particularly in Somalia, drawing increased attention to the region, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.
Meanwhile, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been a destabilizing force in the region, have been involved in disrupting vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea and launching missile and drone attacks on Israel. The U.S. military has been actively engaged in Yemen since 2000, with tensions between the U.S. and the Houthis rising as the latter have targeted U.S. naval vessels.
Reiterating his commitment to aggressive counterterrorism, Trump began his second term by conducting a strike against a senior ISIS leader in Somalia on February 1, sharing the footage of the operation on social media. In a post on X, Trump declared, “ISIS and all others who would attack Americans: ‘WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL K*LL YOU!’”
The threat posed by ISIS continues to be a key concern, with U.S. officials warning in December 2024 about the risk of ISIS fighters escaping detention in Syria. This followed Turkish-backed rebel advances on the facility holding these prisoners, amid the chaotic collapse of the Syrian government. These events have contributed to concerns over the resurgence of ISIS in the region.
In Africa, the U.S. also faced challenges, notably in Niger, where the American military presence was ended after a military coup in September 2024. The new government in Niger deemed the U.S. military presence to be “illegal,” dealing a significant blow to U.S. efforts in the region, which had previously relied on Niger as a strategic staging area for counterterrorism operations in Africa.
When questioned by reporters, the Pentagon simply confirmed the policy change but did not provide further details. This shift in U.S. military strategy is exactly what Donald Trump has sought to implement—an approach focused on proactive, aggressive strikes against terrorist groups around the globe.
Trump Designates Drug Cartels As Terrorist Orgs
The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to label drug cartels as terrorist organizations raises the potential for U.S. criminal charges against American companies operating in Latin America, as well as migrants attempting to enter the U.S., according to legal experts.
On February 19, the U.S. State Department officially classified the Sinaloa Cartel, Tren de Aragua, and six other Latin American criminal groups as global terrorist entities. This move is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to combat gangs it claims are fueling drug trafficking and facilitating illegal immigration to the U.S.
Prior to the formal designations, on February 5, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo indicating that the designation would allow federal prosecutors to charge cartel leaders under terrorism-related statutes.
Six legal professionals interviewed by Reuters warned that the new designations might expose U.S. businesses and migrants who pay cartels to assist with border crossings to prosecution for providing material support to terrorist organizations under U.S. law.
Bondi’s memo also noted that the Justice Department’s foreign bribery unit would focus its efforts on cases involving cartels and other international criminal groups. According to Andrew Adams, a former federal prosecutor and current partner at Steptoe law firm, the cartel designations could have “huge ramifications” for U.S. businesses, particularly due to the extensive trade between the U.S. and Latin America. Mexico, as the U.S.’s largest trade partner, accounted for over 15% of total U.S. trade, with imports from Mexico surpassing $475 billion in 2023.
The Federalist Wire will keep you updated on any further updates from the Trump administration.
