Trump distances himself from second drug boat strike as Congress investigates

President Trump is distancing himself from a second September military strike on a boat in the Caribbean suspected of trafficking drugs.

(NBC)- President Trump is distancing himself from a second September military strike on a boat in the Caribbean suspected of trafficking drugs.
“I didn’t know about the second strike… I wasn’t involved in it,” the president said Tuesday.

The comments come as lawmakers from both parties question the legality of that second operation. According to one U.S. official and another source familiar with the Pentagon’s actions, the follow-up strike near Venezuela killed two survivors of the initial attack.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he watched the first strike live before leaving the room, claiming Admiral Frank Bradley was the one who authorized the second operation.
Hegseth maintains the commander acted within his authority and stands by the decision: “Admiral Bradley made the correct decision to ultimately sink the boat and eliminate the threat.”

Some lawmakers disagree. Sen. Rand Paul says both strikes may have been illegal, arguing there’s no clear proof the individuals targeted were drug traffickers.

Two congressional committees have now opened investigations into the incident, examining whether the second strike could constitute a war crime — and if so, who may be responsible.
Sen. Mark Warner criticized the shifting explanations from the Pentagon, saying Hegseth’s changing story “is not the kind of leadership we’re looking for.”

Hegseth attributes the confusion to the “fog of war,” while President Trump continues to voice support for aggressive action against suspected smugglers.
“I want those boats taken out,” he said. “And if we have to, we’ll attack on land also.”

Admiral Bradley is expected to speak with lawmakers later this week.