This screengrab taken from a video posted by the Defense Department shows a boat shortly before it is hit by a strike on September 2. Defense Department

After reports Friday that the US had conducted a second strike on a suspected drug vessel, killing survivors of its first strike – quite possibly in violation of the law of armed conflict – few defended the Trump administration more strongly than Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida.

Gimenez wagered Monday on Fox Business Network that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “had nothing to do with something like that.” He suggested it was all an elaborate distraction.

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

Just hours later, though, the White House effectively confirmed those reports . A

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