The U.S. government is facing a lawsuit from the families of two Trinidadian men who were killed in a naval strike on October 14, 2025. Chad Joseph, 26, and Rishi Samaroo, 41, were among six civilians who lost their lives in the attack. The lawsuit claims that the U.S. government's actions were "manifestly unlawful" and amount to extrajudicial killings.
The lawsuit is being brought under the Death on the High Seas Act, which covers wrongful maritime deaths, as well as the Alien Tort Statute, which provides for claims of violations of international law. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for their loved ones' wrongful deaths.
According to experts, the U.S. military's campaign of attacks in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean is "unprecedented" and violates international laws prohibiting extrajudicial killings. The strikes have resulted in at least 126 civilian deaths, with many more injured or missing.
The lawsuit alleges that President Trump ordered a lethal kinetic strike on the boat where Joseph and Samaroo were killed, despite no evidence of any wrongdoing by the two men. The Trump administration has claimed that the attacks are permitted under international law, but experts disagree.
"This is not hyperbole," said Steven Watt, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Human Rights Program. "We're seeing a full-on authoritarian takeover of the U.S. government... It's an unprecedented attack on democracy."
The Intercept has reported extensively on the Trump administration's use of military force in the Caribbean and Pacific, including attacks on boats that were not involved in any armed conflict.
As the investigation continues, the families of Joseph and Samaroo are seeking answers about what happened to their loved ones. "Chad was a loving and caring son who was always there for me, for his wife and children," said Lenore Burnley, Joseph's mother. "I miss him terribly. We all do."
The lawsuit has sparked outrage among human rights groups and democracy advocates, who see it as a crucial test of the U.S. government's commitment to upholding international law.
"We're fighting back," said Jonathan Hafetz, a Seton Hall Law School professor. "But we need your help. Will you support The Intercept's reporting on this critical issue?"
The lawsuit is just one of many challenges facing the Trump administration in its attempts to use military force in the Caribbean and Pacific. As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the U.S. government's actions will be closely watched by human rights groups and democracy advocates around the world.
In a statement, the Justice Department said it would not comment on the lawsuit. However, experts say that the lawsuit highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of military force.
"This allows the families of victims to bring a claim for wrongful or negligent death committed on the high seas," said Watt. "And in our case, this is murder."
The lawsuit is being brought under the Death on the High Seas Act, which covers wrongful maritime deaths, as well as the Alien Tort Statute, which provides for claims of violations of international law. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for their loved ones' wrongful deaths.
According to experts, the U.S. military's campaign of attacks in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean is "unprecedented" and violates international laws prohibiting extrajudicial killings. The strikes have resulted in at least 126 civilian deaths, with many more injured or missing.
The lawsuit alleges that President Trump ordered a lethal kinetic strike on the boat where Joseph and Samaroo were killed, despite no evidence of any wrongdoing by the two men. The Trump administration has claimed that the attacks are permitted under international law, but experts disagree.
"This is not hyperbole," said Steven Watt, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Human Rights Program. "We're seeing a full-on authoritarian takeover of the U.S. government... It's an unprecedented attack on democracy."
The Intercept has reported extensively on the Trump administration's use of military force in the Caribbean and Pacific, including attacks on boats that were not involved in any armed conflict.
As the investigation continues, the families of Joseph and Samaroo are seeking answers about what happened to their loved ones. "Chad was a loving and caring son who was always there for me, for his wife and children," said Lenore Burnley, Joseph's mother. "I miss him terribly. We all do."
The lawsuit has sparked outrage among human rights groups and democracy advocates, who see it as a crucial test of the U.S. government's commitment to upholding international law.
"We're fighting back," said Jonathan Hafetz, a Seton Hall Law School professor. "But we need your help. Will you support The Intercept's reporting on this critical issue?"
The lawsuit is just one of many challenges facing the Trump administration in its attempts to use military force in the Caribbean and Pacific. As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the U.S. government's actions will be closely watched by human rights groups and democracy advocates around the world.
In a statement, the Justice Department said it would not comment on the lawsuit. However, experts say that the lawsuit highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of military force.
"This allows the families of victims to bring a claim for wrongful or negligent death committed on the high seas," said Watt. "And in our case, this is murder."
. The US government can't just do whatever it wants and expect no consequences 
. Those two guys from Trinidad were just minding their own biz on a boat, and suddenly they're targeted by the military 
. The fact that this happened at all says something about our government's priorities 
. Are they more concerned with "winning" some war than with protecting human life? 
and transparency 
. We need to know the truth behind these attacks and who's responsible 
. And if it was just a case of mistaken identity or whatever, then maybe they should be held accountable 
.
. It's about the broader implications for human rights and democracy worldwide 
. We need to stand with those who are fighting for justice and transparency 
.
it's just not right that we don't know what happened to them. The fact that there are people out there who think it's okay to just kill others without a trial is, like, super scary 
. I think the lawsuit is a great idea and I'm hoping it brings some answers to the families of these two guys. It's crazy how one person (or in this case, an admin) can make such big decisions that affect so many lives. We need to keep fighting for justice and transparency 
. And those expert claims about it being an "unprecedented" attack on democracy? Yeah, I believe 'em 
That just screams "cover-up". The US government needs to get its act together and show some accountability here 
.
Like wth is goin on here?! The US gov is facin a lawsuit from families of ppl killed in a naval strike 
and now they're claimin it's an extrajudicial killin? That dont sound right at all!!! 
The fact that we havent seen any evidense of these two guys doin nothin wrong is rediculous 
. Can the US gov just be transparent and admit they did somethin wrong for once? 
.
. The fact that President Trump allegedly ordered a lethal kinetic strike without any proof is alarming 
. As Steven Watt, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Human Rights Program, aptly puts it, this is not hyperbole, but an unprecedented attack on democracy 
. The families of Joseph and Samaroo deserve answers about what happened to their loved ones 
. As Jonathan Hafetz, a Seton Hall Law School professor, puts it, we're fighting back, but we need your help 
and it's not even like there was any evidence of wrongdoing by the two men who were on the boat 
u know some ppl will say it's all about maintaining order but really it's just a matter of obeying the law 
we need to hold our leaders accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to things like this 
. How can one man just order a lethal strike without any evidence and just get away with it? The fact that they're claiming it's okay under international law is just laughable 
. It's like, what even is the point of having laws if nobody's gonna hold you accountable for breaking them? And to make matters worse, the Justice Department isn't even commenting on it 
. I mean, come on, we need transparency and accountability in this situation ASAP! The families of those two men deserve justice 
The fact that experts are saying it's an "unprecedented" attack on democracy is wild 
I'm so over these US government lawsuits every 5 mins... Like, can't they just be held accountable for their actions? 
. And now they're trying to cover it up with some lame statement from the Justice Dept 
idk what's going on with the usa lawsuit tho but can we pls talk about something else for a sec? btw does anyone know how to fix a broken wifi connection in their dorm room? my laptop is like, totally dead 
gotta support the aclu and other human rights groups fighting for democracy and accountability 
. they deserve answers about what happened to their loved ones. we need more transparency and accountability in our government, especially when it comes to military actions that affect innocent civilians