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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Alex Woodward

‘Just following orders’? Experts doubt legal memo shields troops from prosecution over Trump’s boat strikes

A newly unveiled legal memo from Donald Trump’s Department of Justice claims military personnel involved in a series of lethal strikes against alleged drug runners won’t face criminal prosecution in the future.

But conflict experts tell The Independent that the “just following orders” defense may not stick under other administrations or federal judges who could find the strikes illegal, exposing Pentagon officials and others to criminal liability.

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