Capitol Hill revolt threatens Trump’s Venezuela playbook amid Caribbean strike oversight

Two survivors of a U.S. military strike on September 2 in the Caribbean struggled for an hour to flip their capsized boat while signaling to an aircraft overhead. The incident has raised questions about the nature of the military's actions and the circumstances surrounding the strike, which targeted a vessel suspected of drug trafficking.

Carlos Portugal Gouvea, a visiting professor at Harvard, was arrested by ICE after discharging a pellet gun outside a Massachusetts synagogue on the eve of Yom Kippur. He claimed he was unaware of the holiday or the location of his actions. Following the incident, his temporary nonimmigrant visa was revoked by the US Department of Homeland Security, which described the event as an 'anti-semitic shooting incident.'

Admiral Mitch Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, is under scrutiny as Congress questions the legality of military boat strikes in the Caribbean, particularly following a controversial operation that resulted in civilian casualties.

A judge in California has expressed skepticism regarding the Trump administration's justification for maintaining control over national guard troops deployed in Los Angeles amid ongoing protests related to immigration raids. The federal government had federalized the state's national guard in June, deploying approximately 4,000 troops despite opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom, who deemed the move unprecedented and illegal, prompting a lawsuit from the state.

Most universities are resisting the Trump administration's ban on diversity-themed essays in student applications, despite threats of federal funding cuts and investigations. This defiance highlights a significant clash between educational institutions and federal policies aimed at limiting discussions on diversity and inclusion.

Republicans are facing significant challenges in uniting around a health care plan to counter the Democrats' extension of Obamacare subsidies, as Congress approaches a year-end deadline. The lack of consensus among GOP lawmakers has raised concerns about their ability to propose effective short- and long-term solutions for health care reform.

Recent discussions highlight that gun laws may ultimately be decided in courts, but their origins lie within Congress, where legislation is crafted. The ongoing lawsuits against lawful gun vendors and manufacturers are perceived as attempts to circumvent the democratic process established for creating such laws.

The Pentagon has confirmed it will continue military strikes targeting alleged drug trafficking boats, despite calls from lawmakers for increased transparency and oversight regarding these operations. This decision follows a controversial double tap strike that resulted in significant scrutiny of the Trump administration's approach to drug-related military actions.