Trump Administration confirms it carried out two strikes on an alleged drug boat off the coast of Venezuela
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - New fallout Tuesday morning after the Trump Administration confirmed it struck an alleged drug boat twice off the coast of Venezuela while saying the order did not come from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Now, bipartisan lawmakers are launching hearings to press for more information as some question if the administration's actions were legal.
President Donald Trump huddled in the Oval Office with his national security team after the Administration confirmed it hit an alleged drug-smuggling boat twice back in September off Venezuela.
A U.S. official and a source familiar with the Pentagon's actions told NBC News the second strike was ordered after the first failed to kill everyone on board.
The White House said Admiral Frank Bradley, not Secretary Hegseth, ordered the second hit.
"Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law. He directed the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat of narco-terrorists to the United States was completely eliminated," said Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary.
Admiral Bradley is overseeing a ramped-up U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, part of the Administration's fight against drug traffickers.
"The president has made it quite clear that if narco terrorists, again, are trafficking illegal drugs towards the United States, he has the authority to kill them," Leavitt shared.
The use of a so-called "Double Tap" is raising serious questions among lawmakers in both parties, with some saying that targeting incapacitated survivors after the first hit could be a war crime.
"Going to look into this very, very diligently and appropriately, because there is the possibility of illegal activity by the armed force," said Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said classified oversight hearings could begin as soon as this week, promising a bipartisan push to get to the facts.
"We're able to see videos and see what the orders were, we'll have a lot more information," said Sen. Roger Wicker.
Hegseth is placing responsibility for the second strike on Bradley while saying his stands by him and the combat decisions he's made, calling him "an American hero."
Bradley is expected to speak soon with Congressional Armed Services Committee leaders, according to two people familiar with the planning.
