The White House on Monday said a U.S. Navy admiral acted &ldquo;within his authority and the law&rdquo; when he ordered a second strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea on September 2, amid growing bipartisan calls in Congress for a formal inquiry into the operation.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Frank Bradley, then head of Joint Special Operations Command, directed the follow-up strike under authorisation from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. 
&ldquo;Secretary Hegseth authorised Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes,&rdquo; she said. 
&ldquo;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.&rdquo;
Ms. Leavitt did not dispute reports that survivors remained on the vessel after the first strike. 
Her comments came a day after President Donald Trump said he &ldquo;wouldn't have wanted that, not a second strike.&rdquo;
Lawmakers from both parties have backed congressional reviews following reports that the second attack may have targeted survivors. 
&ldquo;This rises to the level of a war crime if it's true,&rdquo; said Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. 
Representative Mike Turner noted that armed services committees in both chambers have begun investigations, adding, &ldquo;If that occurred, that would be very serious and I agree that that would be an illegal act.&rdquo;
Mr. Trump strongly defended the Defence Secretary, saying, &ldquo;Pete said he did not order the death of those two men. And I believe him.&rdquo;
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with bipartisan committee leaders over the weekend, reiterating his &ldquo;trust and confidence in the experienced commanders at every echelon.&rdquo; 
His office said the discussion focused on the legality and intent of U.S. missions targeting illicit trafficking networks in the region.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged caution before drawing conclusions, saying, &ldquo;I don't think you want to draw any conclusions or deductions until you have all the facts.&rdquo;
Following criticism, Mr. Hegseth rejected the allegations on X, writing that &ldquo;fake news is delivering more fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting to discredit our incredible warriors.&rdquo; 
He said U.S. operations in the Caribbean comply with both domestic and international law.
Meanwhile, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called Mr. Hegseth a &ldquo;national embarrassment&rdquo; and urged the armed services committees to obtain video of the strike and require his testimony under oath.
The September 2 strike is one of several carried out as part of the Biden administration&rsquo;s expanded naval deployment near Venezuela. 
The U.S. says the operations target drug-smuggling networks it alleges are tied to Venezuelan President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro.
More than 80 people have been reported killed in the series of maritime strikes. 
On Sunday, Venezuela&rsquo;s National Assembly announced its first formal inquiry into the deaths, with Assembly president Jorge Rodr&iacute;guez saying lawmakers will investigate &ldquo;the serious events that led to the murder of Venezuelans in the waters of the Caribbean Sea.&rdquo;
Speaking in Caracas, President Maduro accused the U.S. of subjecting Venezuela to &ldquo;psychological terrorism,&rdquo; adding that citizens are prepared &ldquo;to defend it and lead it to the path of peace.&rdquo;

U.S. Navy ship patrols Caribbean waters at dusk

White House defends legality of second Caribbean strike amid rising congressional scrutiny

White House Backs Admiral In Boat Strike Case

White House defends legality of second Caribbean strike amid rising congressional scrutiny

December 2, 2025 | 11:06 IST