Knox Times

U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett from Tennessee has introduced the Cartel Marque and Reprisal Reauthorization Act of 2025. This legislation, co-led by Representative Mark Messmer from Indiana, seeks to authorize President Trump to commission private actors to target cartels and their associates.

"They push millions of dollars in fentanyl into our country with no regard for American lives. It's time to get creative about how we face these threats. These cartels present a serious risk to our national security, and this bill would authorize President Trump to commission Americans to help defend our homeland," stated Rep. Burchett.

Rep. Messmer expressed his support for the bill, aligning with President Trump's stance on drug cartels. "I agree with President Trump that drug cartels are foreign terrorist organizations and are a serious threat to all Americans," he said. "The Cartel Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025 would add another arrow in our national security quiver, guaranteeing that President Trump has all the authority he needs to protect our citizens from criminal and terrorist-linked threats."

The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power under Article 1, Section 8, to declare war and issue letters of marque and reprisal. These letters allow the President to empower private citizens or groups to act against enemies of the United States by seizing property or capturing adversaries on behalf of the government.

The full text of the proposed bill is available for public review.