Trump trampled Constitution: Salem witches had more legal rights than boaters

By Stewart Resmer

During the infamous Salem witch trials, the accused were drowned. If their deceased bodies floated they were determined to have been innocent.

Posthumously.

Today, under the Trump doctrine, if a seafarer in a small craft in international waters is accused of being a “narco terrorist” they are just executed.

Judging from the nature of the violent interdiction incidents captured on video, where state-of-the-art military munitions are deployed against defenseless targets on the high seas, it would appear there is apparently no intention by US forces responsible for the deadly attacks to retrieve any possible survivors or floating bodies that, like the Salem witches, would prove their innocence.

Proof that the victims are guilty of some crime might not even justify their slaughter. We have humane laws, but the Trump administration is killing people without congressional consent or legal justification.

Should New York City neighborhoods be firebombed if someone violates the alternate side of the street parking regulations?

Smuggling and drug dealing are not capital offenses, according to our laws. Why is Trump not abiding by our laws?

Due process, as guaranteed under this constitution, would have required the government to show beyond a shadow of a doubt the guilt or innocence of an individual before Trump ordered their summary executions, or murder, if you prefer.

Stewart Resmer served in Vietnam with the United States Marine Corps, before embarking on a career as a Hollywood stuntman and limousine driver. He is retired and now lives in Wayne, New Jersey.