Democrats blast Trump's decision to export US-made guns, saying they can wind up in hands of terrorists [View all]
Source: The Independent
Tuesday 28 October 2025 13:54 EDT
Democrats have branded the Trump administrations decision to remove export restrictions on American-made firearms a gift to violent cartels and drug traffickers.
A group led by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticizing the scrapping of a Joe Biden-era rule intended to frustrate the black market in illegal small arms sales.
Eliminating firearm export rules is a gift to violent cartels and drug traffickers responsible for the deaths of Americans and innocent civilians around the world, the lawmakers wrote in their letter, first reported by The Hill. By rescinding the rule, Commerce is empowering the very cartels and criminal organizations that this administration has sought to counter.
Warren and Castros letter, signed by 14 other senators from their party and dozens of representatives, included a string of questions they are seeking answers to regarding the decision-making process, giving Lutnick and Rubio until November 4 to respond.
Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/gun-exports-terrorists-trump-democrats-b2853832.html
Link to Sen. Warren
PRESS RELEASE -
Warren, Durbin, Castro, Meeks, Lead 50+ Democrats in Challenging Trump Administrations Gun Industry-Friendly Changes to Trade Rules
Link to
LETTER (inquiry) (PDF) -
https://www.warren.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/warren_durbin_castro_meeks_dems_letter_to_commerce_and_state_departments_on_firearm_export_rule.pdf