Months prior to the initiation of airstrikes by the U.S. military against suspected drug vessels, former Justice Department official Emil Bove suggested the government should simply “sink the boats” rather than pursue legal action against those on board, according to three anonymous witnesses who described internal discussions at the Justice Department. Emil Bove, who served as the acting deputy attorney general, made these comments on multiple occasions from November 2024 to February 2025 when maritime drug cases were discussed.
The witnesses perceive Bove’s remarks as a precursor to the aggressive military strategy undertaken by the Trump administration, which marked a significant shift from the traditional method of seizing vessels, confiscating drugs, and arresting suspects. Beginning September 2, shortly after Bove transitioned to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, military strikes commenced, leading to over 80 fatalities across 21 operations by mid-November. This approach, described by the Pentagon as targeting “narco-terrorists,” has elicited responses from various legal experts, many of whom argue that these extrajudicial actions could amount to war crimes.
The Justice Department downplayed the witnesses’ accounts, describing them as disgruntled employees, but did not dispute the details surrounding Bove’s comments. Bove, through a court spokesperson, declined to comment on the allegations. Meanwhile, the Justice Department confirmed that a classified legal opinion had been drafted earlier in the summer to rationalize the use of military force against suspected drug trafficking operations.
The larger context includes the recent military action in the Caribbean, drawing scrutiny for not only its legality but also its moral implications. This was highlighted in a recent operation where survivors from a drug vessel strike were rescued, raising complex questions about their status under international law now that a military conflict has been declared against what the administration characterizes as a “narcoterrorist” threat from Venezuela.
The potential ramifications of these military operations have raised alarms within and outside the U.S. government, as Senate Democrats have sought access to the classified opinions guiding these actions. As the judiciary begins to process these issues, Bove’s previously mentioned concept of the “Bove doctrine” has started to resonate deeply with observers, recalling proposals that drastically change the handling of drug-related offenses and hinting at the evolving landscape of U.S. militaristic responses to domestic issues like drug trafficking.
While Bove’s past statements reflect a dramatic shift in addressing drug-related crime, the hope remains that through both military and diplomatic channels, a more effective strategy can be developed—one that prioritizes justice and cooperation over aggressive military action. This ongoing dialogue aims to find an ethical balance in combating the ever-evolving drug crisis, advocating for a comprehensive approach that combines law enforcement with humanitarian considerations.