White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the second strike on a Caribbean boat suspected of carrying drugs was ordered by Adm. Mitch Bradley, who acted within his legal authority to eliminate the threat. She stated that the initial directive—reported as an order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for everyone on board to be killed—originated from President Trump. Leavitt emphasized that the strike was carried out in self-defense to protect Americans and U.S. interests, adding that the president has the right to neutralize threats to the United States.

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