The White House says that a Navy admiral ordered a second strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea and insists that a September attack that has come under bipartisan scrutiny was lawful.

 

Associated Press reporter Will Weissert says that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a justification for the Sept. 2 strike on Monday.

 

“She said a Navy Admiral had had given the order and that it was done according to the rules of engagement militarily and that it was all lawful and that the president has the right to sort of strike against drug boats that seem to do harm in the United States,” Weissert said.

 

Lawmakers from both parties have announced support for congressional reviews of U.S. military strikes against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, citing a published report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order for all crew members to be killed as part of a Sept. 2 attack on the vessel.

 

Weissert also says that Trump and Maduro spoke recently, as tensions continue to rise.

 

“The fact that they're talking, you know, shows that there is at least a sort of you know, more back channel discussions that don't necessarily involve military options,” Weissert said.