In Washington, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is stepping up in favor of congressional investigations into military strikes executed against vessels allegedly involved in drug smuggling in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. This move follows a troubling revelation from a report claiming that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a controversial command to target all crew members during a September 2 operation.
While there remains skepticism about the validity of the Washington Post article, some politicians are expressing serious concerns about the legality of following up on attacks targeting individuals who may not pose a threat anymore.
Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, articulated, “If this is accurate, it falls under the definition of a war crime.” His statement highlights the gravity of the allegations being discussed.
On the Republican side, Representative Mike Turner from Ohio acknowledged uncertainty surrounding the details of the follow-up strike but cautioned that the implications of such actions could be quite serious. He noted that congressional leaders overseeing the Armed Services Committees in both Houses have already begun probing into these incidents.
“Should that indeed have occurred, it opens up the matter of legality—an illegal act entirely,” said Turner, emphasizing the importance of Congress’s thorough investigation.
Amid the turbulence, President Donald Trump didn’t shy away from addressing his communication with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro just as his flight brought him back to Washington after the Thanksgiving holiday in Florida.
The U.S. government maintains that these military strikes are focused on combatting drug cartels, which they allege are under Maduro’s influence. Trump is also deliberating the prospect of strikes on the Venezuelan homeland.
He was tight-lipped when it came to revealing details of his call, responding to a reporter aboard Air Force One, “I wouldn’t categorize it as either a positive or negative conversation.”
Turner also made it clear that there are notable apprehensions within Congress against these actions involving vessels linked to drug transport, particularly given the September 2 incident. He added, “This situation is not part of the regular briefings we’ve had, and we are in the middle of an investigation.”
Commenting on the escalating U.S. endeavors against drug trafficking, Trump had asserted on Saturday that the airspace above and around Venezuela should be considered completely closed. This bold claim sparked further dialogue regarding the U.S. stance on Maduro’s governance, with the Venezuelan administration accusing Trump of resorting to colonial-like threats and undermining their national autonomy.
As for Hegseth, after the Post’s article broke, he took to X, declaring that the media was responsible for spreading sensationalized and misleading reports aiming to tarnish the image of U.S. military efforts in combating these drug threats. Hegseth stressed that current operations adhere strictly to both U.S. and international law, guided by meticulous audits from military and legal experts throughout the chain of command.
Two leading senators, Roger Wicker and Jack Reed, representing the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced their commitment to diligent scrutiny of these military actions to get to the bottom of these serious allegations.
Similarly, House Armed Services leaders released a statement expressing their intention to ensure thorough monitoring of the Department of Defense’s military operations in the Caribbean, citing a serious concern about attacks on vessels purportedly transporting drugs in the SOUTHCOM region.
With rising pressure for answers, Representative Don Bacon commented on the September 2 incident, voicing a desire for Hegseth to present his perspective and stressing the importance of uncovering the truth.
“I can’t imagine he would handle it so irresponsibly, as it contradicts the law of warfare,” Bacon asserted, alluding to the heavy implications of the orders in question.
The discussions among lawmakers unfolded on various news programs, including CBS’ “Face the Nation” and ABC’s “This Week.”
