Over the past three months, the U.S. military has been firing on boats from South America, killing more than 80 people and prompting Democrats to raise urgent questions about their legality.

Now, one of these operations, which killed survivors with a second missile, has prompted congressional Republicans to join those calls for accountability.

Charlie Savage, who covers national security for The New York Times, explains the renewed debate and how the administration is justifying its actions.

Guest: Charlie Savage, who covers national security and legal policy for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• Lawmakers suggested that a follow-up boat strike could have been a war crime.
• Amid talk of a war crime, the details and precise sequence of a Sept. 2 attack on a boat in the Caribbean are facing more scrutiny.

Photo: Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

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