President Trump reaffirmed his trust in Secretary of War Pete Hegseth following allegations of improper military action, telling reporters he believes Hegseth “100%” as scrutiny intensifies over a reported second strike on a Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessel. The strike now sits at the center of a growing controversy involving narcotics-interdiction operations in the Caribbean and questions surrounding rules of engagement.
Reporters pressed President Trump aboard Air Force One about claims that Hegseth authorized a second lethal strike on Sept. 2 after two survivors remained from an initial attack on a suspected narcotics boat. President Trump said Hegseth denied issuing that order and emphasized his confidence in the secretary. “He said he did not say that, and I believe him 100%,” President Trump stated. He added that he would not have supported such an action. “No, I wouldn’t have wanted that. Not a second strike,” he said.
The allegation, first reported by outlets including The Washington Post and CNN, centers on claims that an operational commander justified the second strike by citing a directive that “everyone must be killed.” President Trump noted he would seek additional information but maintained that Hegseth assured him nothing improper occurred. Hegseth forcefully rejected the reporting in a statement, writing, “As usual, the fake news is delivering more fabricated, inflammatory and derogatory reporting to discredit our incredible warriors fighting to protect the homeland.”
Hegseth defended the broader counter-narcotics mission, describing it as both necessary and effective. “These highly effective strikes are specifically intended to be ‘lethal, kinetic strikes,’” he wrote. “The declared intent is to stop lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats and kill the narco-terrorists who are poisoning the American people. Every trafficker we kill is affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization.”
President Trump echoed that message, citing the deadly threat posed by cartel-linked vessels. “You can see the boats,” he said. “You can see the drugs in the boats and each boat is responsible for killing 25,000 Americans.” He argued the missions have sharply reduced maritime drug flow into the United States in recent months.
The administration continues evaluating the Sept. 2 incident while maintaining support for aggressive interdiction operations. Officials argue that traffickers backed by designated terrorist networks pose a direct national-security threat, and U.S. forces require decisive authority to disrupt them. As inquiries proceed, President Trump’s public confidence in Hegseth underscores the administration’s commitment to defending its personnel and mission.
