In a recent appearance on CNN, Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) has stirred controversy by suggesting that drug smugglers should be seen less as narco-terrorists and more as desperate individuals merely trying to earn a living. This perspective has raised eyebrows and concerns about the Democratic Party’s approach to border security and its implications for the ongoing fentanyl crisis impacting Americans.
While discussing the administration’s Operation Southern Spear—an aggressive initiative aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks—Reed’s comments appear to contradict the serious threat posed by these organizations. The operation has reportedly led to the destruction of multiple vessels carrying significant drug shipments intended for the U.S.
In a notable incident last month, a joint task force under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth executed a targeted strike on a boat linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization. This strike, sanctioned in international waters, resulted in the death of three individuals confirmed to be engaged in drug trafficking activities.
Despite the significant risks and sacrifices made by U.S. military personnel, Reed took a softer stance on the issue when questioned by CNN’s Dana Bash about the necessity of such military action. He instead pivoted to a narrative centered on the “demand” for drugs in the U.S., suggesting that the smugglers are often just pawns in a larger game.
“One of the factors that drives use in the United States is demand. Most narco traffickers are not in those boats. They pay people to do that. Usually, people are not significantly involved with narco traders. It’s the way they make money,” Reed elaborated, calling for more emphasis on domestic law enforcement and rehabilitation efforts rather than military interventions.
WATCH:
OUTRAGEOUS
Democrat Jack Reed downplays drug smugglers as mere entrepreneurs, not “narco-terrorists.”
“Usually, people are not significantly involved…It’s the way they make money.” pic.twitter.com/8xIrMG1mtn
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) December 2, 2025
