White House Justifies Venezuela Drug Boat Strikes: Live Coverage

White House Defends Military Strikes on Alleged Drug-Running Boats

During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s decision to conduct a second military strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug-trafficking boat in September. She emphasized that the strike was carried out in self-defense to protect American interests and was conducted in international waters in accordance with the law of armed conflict.

Leavitt stated that Admiral Mitch Bradley, the Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, had authorized the strike and was within his authority to do so. The incident occurred on September 2, when U.S. military personnel targeted a vessel carrying 11 individuals accused of drug trafficking.

A report emerged last week claiming that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had given a verbal order to "kill everybody" aboard the vessel. Over the past three months, the administration has conducted more than a dozen attacks on similar boats, resulting in the deaths of over 80 people.

However, President Donald Trump cast doubt on the claim, stating he would not have wanted a second strike conducted. Both chambers of Congress have opened inquiries into the reported "double tap strike" by U.S. Navy SEALs on the vessel in the Caribbean, with Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly describing it as potentially a war crime.

Key Points

• Leavitt defends double tap boat strikes, stating the admiral had the authority to conduct them.
• Reports suggest Hegseth gave a verbal order to leave no survivors on the alleged drug boat.
• Trump defends Hegseth, saying he did not want such an order.
• House and Senate open inquiries into the second strike.
• White House releases Trump's MRI results, stating all is normal.
• Mitch McConnell thanks Trump for signing a bill to help people with substance use disorders.

White House Releases Trump's MRI Results

The White House released the results of President Donald Trump's MRI scan, which showed that he remains in excellent overall health. Physician to the President Sean Barbabella stated that the results were "perfectly normal."

The MRI was conducted as a preventive measure for an executive of Trump's age (79) to evaluate cardiovascular and abdominal health. The findings confirmed that Trump's cardiovascular system shows excellent health, with no evidence of arterial narrowing or abnormalities in the heart or major vessels. His abdominal imaging was also perfectly normal, with all major organs functioning within normal limits.

White House Shares Bizarre Video Featuring Sabrina Carpenter Song

The White House shared a bizarre video online to promote its immigration efforts, featuring a song from Sabrina Carpenter's album "Short n’ Sweet." The video sparked curiosity and questions about the choice of music for such a serious topic.

Republican Congressman Supports Hegseth, Questions Reports

Representative Carlos Giménez of Florida expressed skepticism about reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered officials to conduct a second strike on a boat to kill all members aboard. He stated that he believes the reports are unfounded and that the timing of the allegations seems suspicious, especially given recent events involving service members.

Senators Investigate Allegations Against Hegseth

Senators from both sides of the political aisle will join forces to investigate allegations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered there to be no survivors in U.S. airstrikes on alleged drug-running boats. GOP Senator Roger Wicker and Democratic Senator Jack Reed announced the decision in a joint statement, indicating that they will conduct vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to these circumstances.

Trump's Military Actions Against Venezuela

President Donald Trump has pushed for the military to tackle drug cartels that he blames for the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the U.S. On September 2, U.S. military personnel fired a missile, striking a vessel in the Caribbean that carried 11 people accused of trafficking drugs into the U.S.

When two survivors emerged from the wreckage, a Special Operations commander overseeing the attack ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions to “kill everybody,” according to The Washington Post. However, Hegseth dismissed the reports as "fake news," though he did not explicitly refute the claims.

Congressional Inquiries Into Second Strike

Members of the respective committees overseeing the armed forces in the House and Senate announced plans to investigate the reports of the U.S. operation on September 2. Led by Republicans, given the GOP’s twin majorities in Congress, the military-focused committees are typically somewhat sheltered from the partisan divides that define other policy committees.

“The Committee is aware of recent news reports and the Department of Defense’s initial response — regarding alleged follow-on strikes on suspected narcotics vessels in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” the Republican and Democratic senators leading the Armed Services Committee in the upper chamber said in a joint statement on Friday.

White House Defends Trump's Pardon of Former Honduran President

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s promise to pardon Juan Orlando Hernández, the former Honduran president accused of drug-trafficking. She claimed the Biden administration “over prosecuted” Hernández and stated that Trump opposes the values of the previous administration, which charged and convicted him.

Hernández was sentenced to 45 years in prison. Leavitt said Trump chose to pardon Hernández after hearing from his supporters.

US Assumes Presidency of G20

The United States began serving as the chair of the Group of 20 (G20) for the first time since 2009, preparing to host the G20 Summit in Miami, Florida next year. The U.S. will serve as chair until November 30, 2026, focusing on themes such as unleashing economic prosperity, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovations.

US and UK Reach Deal on Pharmaceutical Tariffs

The United States and the United Kingdom announced a new deal to eliminate tariffs on pharmaceuticals imported from the U.K. in exchange for the U.K. spending more on new medicines. Under the agreement, the National Health Service will increase its spending on new medications from 0.3 percent of GDP to 0.6 percent over the next 10 years.

Appeals Court Disqualifies Alina Habba

A federal appeals court affirmed a ruling to disqualify Donald Trump’s former personal attorney Alina Habba from serving as the top prosecutor in New Jersey. The panel stated that Habba is “unlawfully serving” as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, marking another blow to Trump’s loyalists in critical law enforcement roles.

Democrats Demand Explanation from FBI Director Kash Patel

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are asking FBI Director Kash Patel to release records related to his travel via government-issued jets and explain why he used them for personal reasons. They criticized Patel for using a $60 million government jet for leisure trips, including a date night with his girlfriend and a golf excursion.

Patel is required to use a government-issued plane for travel due to the security equipment it contains. However, before stepping into his current position, Patel criticized the previous FBI director for similar usage.

Schumer Warns of Bomb Threats

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that three of his offices were the target of bomb threats via emails with the subject line “MAGA.” Local and federal law enforcement responded immediately, conducting full security sweeps to ensure the safety of the offices.

Trump's Military Buildup in the Caribbean

For months, the U.S. government has been building up a military presence in the region to curb what Trump administration officials call “narco-terrorists.” The U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, which Trump alleges are fueled by Maduro’s government.

Last month, the State Department designated Cartel de los Soles as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization,” claiming it is headed by Maduro and other high-ranking members of his “illegitimate” regime.

Timeline and Death Toll of Trump's Alleged Drug Boat Strikes

Over the last three months, the Trump administration has conducted more than a dozen attacks on alleged drug-running boats, killing more than 80 people. The administration has made it clear it wants to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power since 2013.

The U.S. is among more than 50 countries that have refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s head of state, claiming he lost the 2024 presidential election. The State Department has offered rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the Venezuelan president since 2020, raising the reward to $50 million this year.

Survivors on 'Narco Boat' Targeted by Trump Order Were Blown Apart

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly gave a verbal order to leave no survivors behind as Donald Trump’s administration launched the first of more than a dozen attacks on alleged drug-running boats that have killed more than 80 people over the last three months.

On September 2, U.S. military personnel fired a missile, striking a vessel in the Caribbean that carried 11 people accused of trafficking drugs into the United States. When two survivors emerged from the wreckage, a Special Operations commander overseeing the attack ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions to “kill everybody,” according to The Washington Post, citing officials with direct knowledge of the operation.