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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Rhian Lubin,Ariana Baio and Rachel Dobkin

White House defends Hegseth’s ‘legal’ Venezuela drug boat strikes

Pete Hegseth Donald Trump War Crime Mark Kelly Caribbean United States

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has defended the administration’s decision to order a second military strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug-trafficking boat in September that reportedly killed survivors on board.

“The strike conducted on September 2 was conducted in self defense to protect Americans in vital United States interests,” Leavitt told the press Monday. “The strike was conducted in international waters and in accordance with the law of armed conflict.”

Leavitt said Admiral Mitch Bradley, the Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, was the one who ordered the strike and was “well within his authority” to do so.

Last week, a report emerged claiming Hegseth gave a verbal order to “kill everybody” aboard the supposed narco terrorist vessel. Over the last three months, the administration has conducted more than a dozen attacks on similar boats, killing more than 80 people.

Trump cast doubt Hegseth had given such an order. The president said he would not have wanted a second strike conducted.

The House and Senate have opened inquiries into the reported “double tap strike” by U.S. Navy SEALs on the vessel in the Caribbean, which Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly said “seemed” to be a war crime.

Key points

Survivors on ‘narco boat’ targeted by Trump order were blown apart after Hegseth verbal command to ‘kill everybody’

Monday 1 December 2025 09:08 , Rhian Lubin, Alex Woodward

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.

Trump comes to Hegseth's defense

Monday 1 December 2025 09:16 , Rhian Lubin

President Donald Trump defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when quizzed about the military action.

Trump told reporters Sunday that Hegseth did not give a verbal command to “kill everybody.”

“He said he did not say that, and I believe him 100 percent,” said Trump.

“I don’t know that that happened,” the president replied when asked if he thought a second strike was legal if ordered to kill the survivors of the first attack.

“Pete said he did not want that — he didn't even know what people were talking about,” Trump said, adding he would “look into it.”

“I wouldn't have wanted that. Not a second strike. The first strike was very lethal. It was fine, and if there were two people around, but Pete said that didn't happen. I have great confidence.”

Mark Kelly: Reported second strike 'seems' to be a war crime

Monday 1 December 2025 09:45 , Rhian Lubin

House and Senate launch inquiries into second strike

Monday 1 December 2025 10:15 , Rhian Lubin

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, reports John Bowden.

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 and powerful groups like the House Oversight Committee.

“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.

“The Committee has directed inquiries to the Department, and we will be conducting vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to these circumstances.”

What happened on Sept.2 ?

Monday 1 December 2025 10:45 , Rhian Lubin

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, citing officials with direct knowledge of the operation.

The two men were then “blown apart in the water,” according to the report.

In a statement on Friday evening, Hegseth criticized what he called “fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting,” but he did not refute the claims.

Hegseth said the reports of his orders to ‘kill everybody’ were ‘fabricated’ (REUTERS)

Pete Hegseth dismisses reports as 'fake news'

Monday 1 December 2025 11:15 , Rhian Lubin

Trump administration has made clear it wants to oust Maduro

Monday 1 December 2025 11:45 , Kelly Rissman

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” and has also made it clear it wants to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro has been in power since 2013, following the death of Hugo Chavez. 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; the Trump administration raised the reward to $50 million this year.

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's headed by Maduro and other high-ranking members of his “illegitimate” regime.

Days before the State Department designated Maduro to be the leader of a foreign terrorist organization, Trump and Maduro spoke on the phone, suggesting they meet, the New York Times reported Friday.

Still, Trump has ramped up threats of military action against the country.

“In recent weeks, you’ve been working to deter Venezuelan drug traffickers, of which there are many,” Trump said on his Thanksgiving call to U.S. troops. “Of course, there aren’t too many coming in by sea anymore.”

“You probably noticed that people aren’t wanting to be delivering by sea, and we’ll be starting to stop them by land also. The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon. We warn them: Stop sending poison to our country,” he added.

Timeline and death toll of Trump’s alleged drug boat strikes

Monday 1 December 2025 12:00 , Rhian Lubin, Alex Woodward

GOP senators join Democrats in investigating Pete Hegseth ‘kill everybody’ allegations

Monday 1 December 2025 12:20 , Rhian Lubin

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, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Democratic Senator Jack Reed announced the decision in a joint statement Saturday.

"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 statement read.

Mike Bedigan reports.

Senators to investigate Pete Hegseth ‘kill everybody’ allegations

Americans say Trump needs to show evidence of 'drug-carrying' boats

Monday 1 December 2025 12:39 , Rhian Lubin

The majority of Americans do not believe President Donald Trump has done enough to explain any possible U.S. military action against Venezuela, according to a CBS/YouGov poll.

According to the poll, 76 percent of respondents said they felt the president had not adequately justified the U.S.'s aggression toward the South American nation, which has thus far taken the form of rhetoric and strikes against alleged “drug boats.”

Graig Graziosi reports.

Majority of Americans want Trump to justify Venezuela ‘drug boat’ strikes

Trump ‘issues Maduro with ultimatum’ after threatening strikes

Monday 1 December 2025 13:00 , Rhian Lubin

President Donald Trump gave Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro a startling ultimatum to flee his country during their long-awaited phone call, according to a report, as tensions between the pair threatened to spill into all-out conflict.

The president was unusually coy about the call over the weekend, doing little to ease concerns about the possibility of war amid a massive buildup of American warships and troops in the Caribbean.

“I don’t want to comment on it. The answer is yes,” the president said Sunday, when asked if he had spoken to Maduro. “I wouldn’t say it went well or badly. It was a phone call.”

The U.S. has sent some 15,000 troops and more than a dozen warships to the region over the last few months as part of what Trump has framed as a war against drug cartels. Maduro has accused Washington of trying to force regime change.

That threat has become more palpable over the last few days, as Trump warned that land operations could be coming “very soon”, and that pilots should avoid Venezuelan airspace.

James C. Reynolds reports.

Will Trump really attack Venezuela? US ‘issues Maduro with ultimatum to leave’

Watch: Trump defends Hegseth over Venezuela drug boats strike

Monday 1 December 2025 13:30 , Rhian Lubin

Democratic Senator says Pete Hegseth should be fired

Monday 1 December 2025 14:00 , Rhian Lubin

Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts has said that Pete Hegseth should be fired and accused him of being “a war criminal” in a post on X.

Breaking: Appeals court disqualifies Alina Habba as top prosecutor in New Jersey

Monday 1 December 2025 15:24 , Alex Woodward

A federal appeals court has affirmed a court ruling to disqualify Donald Trump’s former personal attorney Alina Habba from serving as the top prosecutor in New Jersey, landing yet another major blow to the president’s loyalists overseeing critical law enforcement roles across the country.

Habba, whose appointment sparked a legal showdown between the Trump administration and the state’s federal judges, is “unlawfully serving” as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, the panel affirmed Monday.

Read more:

Appeals court disqualifies Alina Habba as top prosecutor in New Jersey

Republican congressman backs Hegseth, floats possibility of a 'rat'

Monday 1 December 2025 16:00 , Ariana Baio

Representative Carlos Giménez of Florida said Monday morning that he doesn’t believe reports claiming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered officials to conduct a second strike on a boat to kill all members aboard.

“I smell a rat here,” Giménez told CNBC. “I’m pretty sure the Secretary of Defense had nothing to do with that and it’s just a way of distracting from what really happened in D.C. last week when you had the murder of one National Guardsman and the wounding of another by an Afghan refugee.”

Giménez, who sits on the Armed Services Committee, said the timing of the recent report was “strange” given Democrats recently released a video encouraging service members to ignore orders that defy the Constitution.

“I’m with the president on this. I don’t believe the reports,” Giménez said.

US and UK reach deal to remove tariffs on pharmaceuticals

Monday 1 December 2025 16:51 , Ariana Baio

The United States and the United Kingdom announced a new deal Monday that will eliminate tariffs on pharmaceuticals imported from the U.K. in exchange for the U.K. spending more on new medicines.

Under the deal, the National Health Service will increase the amount it spends on new medications from 0.3 percent of GDP to 0.6 percent, over the next 10 years.

The U.K. will increase its price threshold for new treatments by 25 percent.

In exchange, UK pharmaceutical tariff shipments will remain at zero for the next three years.

The announcement comes after Trump threatened to raise tariffs on pharmaceuticals to 100 percent. Ireland is one of the largest exporters of pharmaceuticals to the United States, with more than $31 billion worth of pharmaceuticals exported in 2023.

Trump insiders fear he is isolating himself as public rallies grind to a halt

Monday 1 December 2025 17:00 , Rhian Lubin

Allies of President Donald Trump are worried he has become out of touch with the public since he has scaled back the campaign-style rallies that clinched him the White House, according to a report.

Read more from Rhian Lubin

Trump insiders fear he is isolating himself as public rallies grind to a halt

Coalition of national security leaders calls for investigation into boat strike report

Monday 1 December 2025 17:30 , Ariana Baio

The National Security Leaders for America have encouraged Congress to investigate reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called for a second strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean to kill members aboard, calling it a “violation of U.S. and international law.”

“If these reports are accurate, the actions described would be serious violations of both U.S. and international law. If the strike is viewed as a military operation, as the Administration contends, it would violate a core principle of military ethics and the law of armed conflict, which prohibits targeting people who are no longer a threat or cannot defend themselves,” the group wrote in a statement Monday.

The National Security Leaders for America is a non-partisan coalition of former military and civilian leaders to provide insight on national security matters.

“As military experts, we see this as deeply problematic. If the strike is viewed as a law enforcement action, killing rather than detaining a defenseless individual could constitute a host of crimes, up to and including murder,” the group added.

Watch: Trump defends pardoning drug trafficking Honduran dictator as he continues 'anti-drug' crusade against Venezuela

Monday 1 December 2025 17:45 , Ariana Baio

US assumes presidency of G20

Monday 1 December 2025 18:10 , Ariana Baio

The United States began serve as the chair of the Group of 20 Monday, for the first time since 2009 as it prepares to host the G20 Summit in Miami, Florida next year.

“As we usher in these much-needed reforms, we will prioritize three core themes: unleashing economic prosperity by limiting regulatory burdens, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovations,” the State Department said in a statement.

The U.S. will serve as chair of G20 until November 30, 2026.

Karoline Leavitt to hold a press briefing

Monday 1 December 2025 18:20 , Ariana Baio

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is expected to hold a press briefing with members of the media this afternoon.

Trump to host cabinet meeting Tuesday

Monday 1 December 2025 18:36 , Ariana Baio

During a White House press briefing Monday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump would host his ninth cabinet meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

Leavitt defends double tap boat strikes, says admiral had authority to do so

Monday 1 December 2025 18:51 , Ariana Baio

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that the administration conducted two strikes on a boat in the Caribbean in September to eliminate potential survivors, claiming Admiral Mitch Bradley, the commander of the United States Special Operations Command, gave the order.

“The strike conducted on September 2, was conducted in self defense to protect Americans in vital United States interests the strike was conducted in international waters and in accordance with the law of armed conflict,” Leavitt said.

Leavitt denied that the strikes may have violated any law.

White House releases Trump’s MRI results, says all is normal

Monday 1 December 2025 18:56 , Ariana Baio

The White House released the results of President Donald Trump’s MRI results Monday, with Physician to the President Sean Barbabella the results were “perfectly normal”

In a statement, Barbabella said the MRI was a preventive “because men in his age group benefit from a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health.”

“President Trump's cardiovascular imaging was perfectly normal, no evidence of arterial narrowing, impairing blood flow or abnormalities in the heart or major vessels. The heart chambers are normal in size. The vessel walls appear smooth and healthy, and there are no signs of inflammation or clotting. Overall, his cardiovascular system shows excellent health. His abdominal imaging is also perfectly normal. All major organs appear very healthy and well perfused. Everything evaluated is functioning within normal limits, with no acute or chronic concerns. In summary, this level of detailed assessment is standard for an executive physical at President Trump's age, and confirms that he remains in excellent overall health,” the statement said.

White House defends Trump pardoning former Honduran president

Monday 1 December 2025 19:21 , Ariana Baio

Leavitt defended Trump’s promise to pardon Juan Orlando Hernández, the former Honduran president accused of drug-trafficking, saying the Biden administration “over prosecuted” Hernández.

When asked about it during Monday’s press briefing, Leavitt said Trump opposes the values of the Biden administration which charged and convicted Hernández of drug trafficking.

Hernández, was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

"This was a clear Biden over-prosecution. He was the president of this country. He was in the opposition party. He was opposed to the values of the previous administration, and they charged him because he was president of Honduras," Leavitt said during Monday's press briefing.

She said Trump also chose to pardon Hernández after hearing from his supporters.

Facing war crimes allegations, Pete Hegseth posts AI image of Franklin the Turtle firing missiles

Monday 1 December 2025 19:30 , Alex Woodward

In apparent response to allegations that his lethal strikes targeting alleged drug traffickers amount to extrajudicial murder, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted an image of children’s book character Franklin the Turtle firing a rocket launcher from a helicopter.

On his personal X account on Sunday night, Hegseth posted an AI-generated book cover with the title Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists, with the titular turtle wearing combat gear and hanging outside a military helicopter as he takes aim at three boats below.

“For your Christmas wish list,” Hegseth wrote in the caption. He tagged U.S. Southern Command, which is overseeing American military operations targeting boats accused of smuggling drugs into the United States. More than 80 people have been killed in more than a dozen attacks over the last several months.

Leavitt says members of Congress have been briefed on Venezuelan boat strikes

Monday 1 December 2025 19:45 , Ariana Baio

While defending the administration’s decision to conduct lethal strikes on boats in international waters, Leavitt said members of Congress were informed of the strikes and had the chance to review classified documents.

“The strike was conducted in international waters and in accordance with the law of armed conflict,” Leavitt said during Monday’s press briefing.

“There have also been 13 bipartisan briefings to Congress on the Venezuelan strikes. There have been a number of document reviews for members of Congress to review the classified DOJ Office of Legal Counsel opinion and other related documents,” she added.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt fiercely defended the administration’s decision to conduct two strikes on an alleged drug-trafficking boat (Getty Images)

Watch: White House says admiral directed second strike that killed alleged drug boat survivors in ‘self defense’

Monday 1 December 2025 20:10 , Ariana Baio

Trump underwent MRI scan for cardiovascular and abdomen checks, White House reveals

Monday 1 December 2025 20:30 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump underwent an MRI scan for cardiovascular and abdomen checks, the White House has revealed.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that the tests, which were “standard” for an executive of Trump’s age (79), found that the president “remains in excellent overall health.”

Calls for the release of the MRI results have swirled since Trump announced that he had undergone the “very standard” tests earlier this month. Asked over the weekend, the president said he did not know on which part of his body the scan had been conducted but said that it “wasn’t on the brain.”

Read more here:

Trump underwent MRI scan for cardiovascular and abdomen checks, White House reveals

Schumer says his offices were targeted in bombs threat emails titled ‘MAGA’

Monday 1 December 2025 20:50 , Ariana Baio

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday afternoon that three of his offices were the target of bomb threats via emails that contained the subject line “MAGA” from an email claiming the “2020 election was rigged.”

“Local and federal law enforcement responded immediately and are conducting full security sweeps. Everyone is safe, and I am grateful for their quick and professional response to ensure these offices remain safe and secure for all New Yorkers,” Schumer wrote on X.

Democrats demand Kash Patel explain his usage of FBI plane

Monday 1 December 2025 21:00 , Ariana Baio

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are asking FBI Director Kash Patel to release records related to his flight travel via the government-issued jet and explain why he’s used it for personal reasons.

In a letter, sent to Patel Monday, Ranking Member Jamie Raskin and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove are demanding Patel explain “why American taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill for his leisure travel” including alleged “date night” trips with his girlfriend, a hunting trip and golf excursion.

“While millions of Americans struggled with skyrocketing healthcare costs, hunger, and missed paychecks due to the Republican ‘Great Gatsby’ shutdown, you used a $60 million government jet for an overnight date with your girlfriend, a Scottish golfing excursion with your buddies, and a trip to a luxury hunting retreat called ‘Boondoggle Ranch.’ Why should American taxpayers be footing the bill for private jets every time you decide to hang out with your golf buddies, see your girlfriend, or go to your ‘boondoggle’ escape?” the Democrats wrote.

Patel is required to use a government-issued plane for travel because it is outfitted with the proper national security equipment the FBI director needs access to at all times.

Yet before stepping into his current position, Patel criticized the previous FBI director for using the plane for personal use.

Now Democrats are turning the tables on Patel.

FBI Director Kash Patel has faced scrutiny recently for utilizing a government-issued plane for what Democrats believe is excessive personal travel (Getty)

Mark Kelly says Trump is ‘trying to silence’ him with court martial threat

Monday 1 December 2025 21:02 , Ariana Baio

Democratic Senator Mark Kelly held a press conference Monday to stand up against President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatening to court martial him, saying he would not be silences by the president’s “bullying.”

“President Trump is trying to silence me, threatening to kill me, for saying what is true, and he sent his Secretary of Defense after me. And it’s not going to work,” Kelly said.

Kelly says he is 'worried' about service members if report of double tap strikes is true

Monday 1 December 2025 21:20 , Ariana Baio

During his press conference Monday, Senator Mark Kelly said he was “worried” about active military service members if the reports about the double tap strikes on boats was true.

“I’m really worried about our service members,” Kelly said.

Kelly was one of six Democrats to be featured in a video reminding service members to ignore orders that defy the Constitution. For his participation, the president and defense secretary have threatened to court martial him.

Kelly said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should appear before the Armed Services Committee to answer questions about the boat strikes.

Trump signs two bills into law

Monday 1 December 2025 21:45 , Rachel Dobkin

President Donald Trump has just signed two bills into law.

One of the bills, the Medal of Honor Act, increases the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients. The Medal of Honor is the “highest award for military valor in action” in the U.S., according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

The other bill that Trump signed, SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, revises Health and Human Services programs that address substance use disorders.

Watch: Mark Kelly says Trump is 'trying to silence me'

Monday 1 December 2025 22:00 , Rachel Dobkin

Senator Mark Kelly said Monday that President Donald Trump is “trying to silence me,” after the Pentagon launched a probe into the Arizona Democrat following his appearance in a video urging the military to disobey illegal orders.

Following the video’s release, Trump accused Kelly and several of his Democratic colleagues, who were also featured in the clip, of “seditious behavior,” which the president said was “punishable by death.”

After receiving backlash for his comments, Trump said he was “not threatening death,” in an interview with Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade.

Blow for Nancy Mace as campaign consultant dramatically quits accusing her of disloyalty to Trump

Monday 1 December 2025 22:20 , Josh Marcus

An official on Rep. Nancy Mace’s South Carolina gubernatorial campaign announced his resignation on Monday, accusing the Republican firebrand of having decided to “turn her back on MAGA” by aligning with Trump-critical Republicans including Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Thomas Massie.

“I am 100% breaking with her campaign out of loyalty to the President,” J. Austin McCubbin, who has served on past Trump and Mace campaigns, wrote on X.

Paul has been a vocal critic of the administration’s “extrajudicial killings” of alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean, while Massie has been a leading voice pressuring Trump to release the Epstein files.

McCubbin said the “straw that broke the camel’s back” was an alleged claim by Mace that she was directing a “personal friend” to fund a “7-figure check” to Protect Freedom PAC, a Paul-aligned PAC that has supported Mace.

Read on...

Blow for Nancy Mace as campaign consultant quits accusing her of disloyalty to Trump

Watch: Trump underwent MRI scan for cardiovascular and abdomen checks, White House reveals

Monday 1 December 2025 22:40 , Ariana Baio

White House posts bizarre video featuring a Sabrina Carpenter song

Monday 1 December 2025 23:00 , Rachel Dobkin

The White House has shared a bizarre video online to promote its immigration efforts, featuring Sabrina Carpenter’s song Juno from her Short n’ Sweet album.

The Independent has reached out to Carpenter’s representatives for comment.

Mitch McConnell thanks Trump for signing bill to help people with substance use disorders

Monday 1 December 2025 23:20 , Rachel Dobkin

Senator Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, has thanked President Donald Trump for signing the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, which revises Health and Human Services programs that address substance use disorders.

The legislation includes the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act of 2025, which McConnell introduced last February.

The CAREER Act helps people recovering from substance use disorders by providing transitional housing and support to help them get a job.

Mitch McConnell has thanked President Donald Trump for signing a bill to help people with substance use disorders (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

“I thank President Trump for recognizing the value of this program and the dedicated organizations helping individuals, affected by the substance abuse epidemic, to reenter the workforce,” McConnell said in a statement.

“In Kentucky, this crisis has taken lives at an alarming rate, impacting not only families and communities, but also our workforce. That’s why I’m proud to continue leading efforts to combat the epidemic’s devastating impact on American workers and our economy. This crisis demands our ongoing attention, and we will keep working to provide Kentuckians in recovery with the tools they need to rebuild their lives and stay on the path to sobriety.”

John Thune dodges question about whether Venezuelan boat strike was war crime

Monday 1 December 2025 23:40 , Rachel Dobkin

Senate Majority Leader John Thune dodged a question from CNN’s Manu Raju about whether the Trump administration’s decision to order a second strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in September was a war crime.

“I don't think you want to draw any conclusions or deductions until we have all the facts in, and I'm glad that the relevant committee … Armed Services, is going to examine the facts,” the South Dakota Republican said on Monday.

The House and Senate have both opened inquiries into the second strike that reportedly killed survivors on board.

John Thune says he doesn't have an evaluation of Pete Hegseth's leadership

00:00 , Rachel Dobkin

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday that he doesn't have an evaluation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's leadership.

“I don’t have, at this point, I guess, an evaluation of the secretary. Others can make those evaluations,” the South Dakota Republican said, per Punchbowl News.

Last week, The Washington Post reported that Hegseth had given a verbal order to “kill everybody” aboard a Venezuelan ship in the Caribbean suspected of carrying drugs.

There were two survivors on the boat, who were killed in a second strike in compliance with Hegeth’s directive, according to the report.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that the boat strike was “conducted in self defense to protect Americans in vital United States interests,” adding that the military action was “in accordance with the law of armed conflict.”

She said it was Admiral Mitch Bradley, the Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, who ordered the strike and that he was “well within his authority” to do so.

Watch: Hakeem Jeffries rips into Pete Hegseth: 'Most unqualified secretary of defense in American history'

00:20 , Rachel Dobkin

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has ripped into Pete Hegseth, calling him the “most unqualified secretary of defense in American history,” following a report that he ordered the military to “kill everybody” aboard a Venezuelan ship in the Caribbean suspected of carrying drugs.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that the boat strike was “conducted in self defense to protect Americans in vital United States interests,” adding that the military action was “in accordance with the law of armed conflict.”

She said it was Admiral Mitch Bradley, the Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, who ordered the strike and that he was “well within his authority” to do so.

Senate Armed Services Committee Republicans withholding judgment on Venezuelan boat strikes

00:40 , Rachel Dobkin

Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee are withholding judgment until they investigate the Trump administration’s controversial “double tap” strike on a Venezuelan boat suspected of carrying drugs.

Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker of Mississippi said on Monday, per CBS News, “I think it's best we get our classified briefings so that we'll have the ground truth and also the documents and video.”

When asked if he has confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota said, “The question will be based on the facts as we find them out, we're going to have some discussions within the committee. Until such times we know the full facts, we won't be making comment."

Last week, The Washington Post reported that Hegseth had given a verbal order to “kill everybody” aboard the alleged drug boat in the Caribbean.

There were two survivors on the boat, who were killed in a second strike in compliance with Hegeth’s directive, according to the report.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that the boat strike was “conducted in self defense to protect Americans in vital United States interests,” adding that the military action was “in accordance with the law of armed conflict.”

She said it was Admiral Mitch Bradley, the Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, who ordered the strike and that he was “well within his authority” to do so.

The House and Senate Armed Services committees have both opened inquiries into the strikes.

Franklin the Turtle publisher reacts to Pete Hegseth post

01:00 , Rachel Dobkin and Alex Woodward

The publisher of the children’s book series featuring Franklin the Turtle has responded to an AI image of the fictional character firing a rocket launcher from a helicopter.

The edited book cover, titled Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists, was shared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth online on Sunday night, in apparent response to allegations that the military’s lethal strikes targeting alleged drug traffickers amount to extrajudicial murder.

“Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity,” a spokesperson for Franklin publisher Kids Can Press told The Independent. “We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values.”

Read on...

Amid war crimes allegations, Hegseth posts AI image of Franklin firing at drug boats

Kristi Noem calls for a 'full travel ban' following National Guard shooting

01:07 , Rachel Dobkin

Homeland Security Kristi Noem has called for a “full travel ban on every damn country that's been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.”

The Trump administration has cracked down even further on immigration after Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who was granted asylum earlier this year, allegedly shot two National Guard Members, one fatally, in Washington, D.C., last week.

Republican pushes back on Trump proposal to dock pay from air traffic controllers who missed work during shutdown

01:20 , Mike Bedigan

A senior Republican congressman has pushed back against plans by Donald Trump to dock the pay of air traffic control workers who did not show up for work during the government shutdown.

During the historic shutdown, which ultimately lasted for 43 days, from October 1 to November 12, ATCs were expected to work without pay. Some were forced to take extra jobs and many reported being unable to afford essential costs like childcare or fuel to get to their shifts.

A number began calling out of work sick, leading to major disruption at airports – and prompting Trump to say their pay should be docked.

However, the Republican chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure pushed back on the idea.

Rep. Sam Graves told KFEQ: “The problem with something like that is you really don’t know the circumstances.”

Read on...

GOP lawmaker pushes back on Trump’s proposal to dock pay from air traffic controllers

Senate briefing on Venezuelan boat strikes expected next week

01:40 , Rachel Dobkin

Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, told CNN’s Manu Raju on Monday that he and Chairman Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, expect a briefing next week from Admiral Mitch Bradley about the controversial September strikes on a Venezuelan boat suspected of carrying drugs.

Last week, The Washington Post reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had given a verbal order to “kill everybody” aboard the ship in the Caribbean.

There were two survivors on the boat, who were killed in a second strike in compliance with Hegeth’s directive, according to the report.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that the boat strike was “conducted in self defense to protect Americans in vital United States interests,” adding that the military action was “in accordance with the law of armed conflict.”

She said it was Bradley, the Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, who ordered the strike and that he was “well within his authority” to do so.

Watch: Mark Kelly says Trump administration should release documents explaining legal justification for Venezuelan boat strikes

01:52 , Rachel Dobkin

Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, told CNN Monday that the Trump administration should release documents explaining the legal justification for its strikes on Venezuelan boats suspected of carrying drugs.

Kelly, a retired Navy captain, is currently under investigation by the Pentagon following his appearance in a video urging the military to disobey illegal orders.

Live coverage ended

01:58 , Rachel Dobkin

Live coverage of the Trump administration has ended.

Here’s a full breakdown on the controversy surrounding the military’s strikes on Venezuelan boats that are suspected of carrying drugs:

White House confirms second strike that killed alleged drug boat survivors

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