Lawmakers from both parties say Congress must review U.S. military strikes on boats suspected of drug smuggling after a Washington Post report alleged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the killing of all crew members during a Sept. 2 operation in the Caribbean.
Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have opened investigations, warning that a follow-on strike against incapacitated survivors would raise serious legal issues. Sen. Tim Kaine said such an act would constitute a war crime if confirmed.
Lawmakers from both parties said Sunday they support congressional reviews of U.S. military strikes against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, citing a published report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order for…
— PBS News (@NewsHour) December 1, 2025
Rep. Mike Turner stressed that Congress has no evidence the alleged second strike occurred, while Rep. Don Bacon said Hegseth should be given a chance to respond. Hegseth called the report “fake news,” insisting all operations comply with U.S. and international law.
President Donald Trump, returning from Florida, said he believes Hegseth and would not have supported a second strike. He also confirmed a recent call with Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro as the administration intensifies its anti-cartel campaign.
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