President Donald Trump convened his Cabinet on Tuesday as the administration faces mounting scrutiny over a September military operation that killed suspected Venezuelan drug smugglers.
The White House confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized a second strike on the targeted boat after an initial missile attack.
Watch: Trump holds Cabinet meeting as Hegseth boat strike scrutiny mounts https://t.co/rcdYKSOdAX
— CNBC (@CNBC) December 2, 2025
Lawmakers from both parties say the follow-up strike may constitute a war crime, and Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker has pledged oversight. The administration insists the operation was legal and conducted in self-defense.
The meeting also comes on the heels of a bruising 43-day government shutdown that ended in November after Republicans absorbed widespread public blame and suffered heavy election losses.
WATCH LIVE: President Trump holds Cabinet meeting as Pete Hegseth faces heat over boat strikes https://t.co/gCvwbp0Iwz
— The Hill (@thehill) December 2, 2025
The fallout has placed unusual pressure on a special election in a deep-red Tennessee district now considered competitive.
Meanwhile, Trump signed a bipartisan bill forcing the release of government files on Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were also spotted in Moscow for talks aimed at advancing a Ukraine-Russia peace plan.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
