Fox News interrupted for breaking news as Trump 'declares war'

Fox News anchor John Roberts interrupted the regular programming to announce some breaking news as US president Donald Trump declared war. John paused the broadcast for the news that Trump has distributed a memo in Congress, stating that the US is in "armed conflict" with drug cartels.

Roberts said: "Breaking, moments ago the Trump administration says it is now engaged in quote 'armed conflict with drug cartels'. That's according to a memo to Congress that was obtained by Fox News. I assume this is in response to the criticisms that have been levelled at the president for taking out those drug boats?"

Correspondent Peter Doocy stepped in with the details, explaining: "Yes, John, those criticisms come from Democratic lawmakers who say they are concerned that these cartel members are not getting due process before a bomb drops on their heads.

"President Trump and his team do not seem moved one bit by that, so they drafted this memo making this official to Congress."

He then read out sections of the memo, explaining: "Part of it says: 'Based upon the cumulative effects of these hostile acts against the citizens and interests of United States and friendly foreign nations, the president determined that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organisations.

"The president directed the Department of War to conduct operations against them pursuant to the law of armed conflict.'"

A clip then showed Trump vowing: "If you try to poison our people, we will blow you out of existence, 'cause that's the only language they really understand. That's why you don't see any more boats on the ocean. You don't see any boats around Venezuela, there's nothing."