Mexican ambassador pick won't rule out military strikes on cartels
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Ronald Johnson, the nominee for ambassador to Mexico, sits for a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on March 13. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Ronald Johnson, President Trump's pick for Mexican ambassador, said during a confirmation hearing Thursday that U.S. military strikes on cartels — even without Mexico's knowledge — are an option.
The big picture: Trump on his first day in office signed an executive order naming eight drug cartels — including six in Mexico — as foreign terrorist organizations, a move administration ally Elon Musk contended made them "eligible for drone strikes."
- Asked by Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) whether he would agree that there should be no military action against cartels in Mexican territory "without the knowledge and consent of the Mexican government," Johnson said America's "first desire" would be to work with Mexican partners.
- "That said," he continued, "I know President Trump takes very seriously his responsibility to safeguard the lives of U.S. citizens, and should there be a case where the lives of U.S. citizens are at risk, I think all cards are on the table."
- Johnson added that he "cannot respond" to what action Trump may take.
Catch up quick: In the run-up to the 2024 election, Trump said he'd "absolutely" consider strikes against cartels if Mexico didn't "straighten it out really fast."
- The Trump administration loosened restrictions on counterterrorism drone strikes outside of conventional war zones, according to multiple reports, marking a return to a more aggressive first-term policy that granted commanders more latitude.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, asked on "Fox & Friends" whether the U.S. military could strike within Mexico, said "all options will be on the table."
The other side: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dismissed talk of air strikes or covert operations across the border as "entirely a movie" last year. But recent rhetoric from the administration could signal otherwise.
- The State Department's updated terrorist designations were followed by Sheinbaum announcing she'd propose constitutional reforms to crack down on foreigners involved in gun smuggling.
- Last month, the Mexican leader said the U.S. made the terrorist designation decision without consulting Mexico and that it "should not be used by the United States as an opportunity to invade our sovereignty."
The bottom line: Trump's suggestions that the U.S. bomb drug labs or take out cartels using military force dates back to his first term.
- During his second term, he's taken aggressive action to curb he calls an "invasion" across the U.S. southern border, pushing mass deportations and threatening tariffs to curb the flow of fentanyl into the U.S..
- If any U.S. troops are harmed by cartels, "border czar" Tom Homan told ABC News last month, "The wrath of President Trump's going to come down."
Go deeper: Trump admin launches new app with "self-deport" feature
