Trump addresses military strike reports
On Sunday, President Trump sought to minimize concerns regarding allegations that his defense secretary ordered a second military strike on a suspected drug boat after the first attempt failed to eliminate two crew members.
While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed his support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as bipartisan lawmakers called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
“I don’t know anything about it. He said he did not say that, and I believe him,” Trump remarked. “We’ll look into it.”
The president indicated he “wouldn’t have wanted” the military to conduct a second strike against survivors of the initial attack. Critics have suggested that if the reports are accurate, such actions could be classified as war crimes.
“Pete said that did not happen,” Trump reiterated to the press.
Trump defended his administration’s approach amidst ongoing discussions about targeting suspected drug traffickers in Caribbean waters as part of a strategy against Venezuela and its leader, Nicolás Maduro.
Some lawmakers from both the U.S. and abroad have raised questions about whether Trump’s actions fall within legal boundaries or constitute extrajudicial killings. Others have criticized the decision to destroy boats rather than intercept them at sea for potential prosecution and intelligence gathering.
The president confirmed he had spoken with Maduro but declined to provide additional details.
Additionally, Trump expressed concern regarding air-based drug trafficking. He posted on Truth Social over the weekend: “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be closed in its entirety,” emphasizing this warning strongly.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he concluded.
When asked if this meant further strikes were forthcoming, Trump responded: “Don’t read anything into it.”
