President Trump and his top national security officials huddled at the White House on Monday to map out the next steps on Venezuela, but the strategic session was overshadowed by the administration’s full-throated defense of a controversial naval operation.
Facing bipartisan scrutiny over a September strike on a suspected drug boat, the White House insisted that the Navy admiral who ordered a lethal follow-up attack acted “within his authority and the law.”
The incident, which occurred on September 2 in the Caribbean, involved what is known in military circles as a “double-tap strike.” Reports indicate the U.S. military struck the vessel a second time despite knowing survivors from the initial impact were still alive, killing them in the second blow.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the growing firestorm Monday. While she did not dispute a Washington Post report regarding the presence of survivors, she defended the decision-making of Navy Vice Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley.
“Secretary Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes,” Leavitt told reporters. “Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated.”
The administration’s defense comes amid confusing signals from the top. Just a day earlier, President Trump seemed to distance himself from the tactic, telling reporters he “wouldn’t have wanted that — not a second strike” when asked about the deaths.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, however, doubled down on his support late Monday. In a public statement, Hegseth called Bradley “an American hero” and a “true professional.”
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“I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made — on the September 2 mission and all others since,” Hegseth wrote. Notably, Bradley was promoted from commander of Joint Special Operations Command to commander of U.S. Special Operations Command just one month after the strike.
The details of the operation have stunned lawmakers on Capitol Hill, triggering a rare moment of bipartisan concern. Congress announced Monday that it will launch a formal review of U.S. military strikes against suspected smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Legislators are specifically examining reports that Hegseth issued a verbal order for the second strike.
Bradley is expected to face tough questions Thursday when he provides a classified briefing to lawmakers overseeing the military. Beyond the specific incident, members of Congress are raising stark questions about the legality of the attacks and the broader implications for the administration’s strategy toward Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
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