Concerns Over U.S. Military Operations and Domestic Law Enforcement Practices
Jan, 14 2026
Rogan, who previously supported Trump in the 2024 election, suggested that if the U.S. was genuinely concerned about fentanyl, it should also address drug trafficking from Mexico. Paul indicated that there are intentions to extend military actions to Mexico, raising concerns about potential escalation of conflict. He expressed disapproval of the U.S. government's approach to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, particularly regarding the arrest on drug charges without due process. Paul criticized military operations, including the destruction of drug boats and the killing of wounded Venezuelan crew members, labeling these actions as violations of military justice codes. He remarked, "We have never blown up people who were shipwrecked."
Paul acknowledged that his views on Venezuela diverge from many Republicans, asserting that the U.S. aims to exert control over Venezuela for its oil resources and geopolitical influence. He emphasized that the administration's framing of these military actions as law enforcement rather than warfare obscures the reality of the situation, stating, "It is kind of war, and we’re going to take people as if it’s war, but it’s not war."
In a related context, the U.S. government has expressed intentions to intervene militarily in Iran amid unrest characterized as foreign-backed riots. This stance contrasts sharply with recent incidents of violence involving U.S. federal agents, notably the killing of Renee Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Good, a 37-year-old mother, was shot multiple times by ICE officers during a large immigration enforcement operation. Eyewitness accounts indicate that she posed no threat and was attempting to leave the scene when she was shot. Following the incident, federal authorities attempted to frame Good as a 'domestic terrorist,' despite her lack of political involvement.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has restricted local law enforcement's access to the investigation, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. This incident is part of a broader pattern of police violence in the U.S., where 1,301 individuals were reported killed by police in 2025, according to Mapping Police Violence.
In the context of Iran, protests initially sparked by economic grievances have escalated into violent confrontations, with armed groups attacking law enforcement and public infrastructure. U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies have acknowledged their involvement in these events, with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo publicly supporting the protests. Conversely, peaceful demonstrations advocating for Iranian national sovereignty, such as a recent labor strike at the South Pars Gas Refinery, have received little attention from Western media. The Iranian government has faced accusations of human rights violations, yet the U.S. response to domestic unrest, including the militarization of law enforcement and the use of lethal force, raises questions about its commitment to human rights.
The situation highlights a dichotomy in law enforcement approaches: in the U.S., police are often seen as enforcers of state power against marginalized communities, while in Iran, law enforcement is portrayed as a protector of national sovereignty against foreign interference. This distinction underscores the complexities of global conflicts and the implications of state actions on human rights and social equity. The ongoing violence in both contexts reflects a broader pattern of state aggression and militarism, raising critical questions about the role of government in protecting or undermining the rights of individuals, particularly in the face of dissent.