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Republicans Join Democrats in Demanding Answers Over Alleged Lethal U.S. Strikes Near Venezuela

Republican and Democratic lawmakers are pressing for answers after reports that U.S. forces may have carried out a second, potentially unlawful strike on a vessel near Venezuela. The White House says the strikes were lawful and authorized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who denies the allegation. Armed Services leaders in both chambers have pledged bipartisan oversight as Congress seeks briefings and records. Since September, U.S. forces have reportedly conducted at least 21 strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats, with about 83 deaths.

06:21 AM, 12/02/2025Politics
Republicans Join Democrats in Demanding Answers Over Alleged Lethal U.S. Strikes Near Venezuela

Several Republican members of Congress, joining Democrats, have called for a full accounting after reports that U.S. forces may have carried out a second, potentially unlawful strike on a small vessel off Venezuela's coast. There were no public briefings or hearings announced as of early December, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have pledged oversight.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt defended the operations, saying they were lawful and authorized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The dispute centers on a Washington Post report that Hegseth "gave a spoken directive" on Sept. 3 to "kill everyone" aboard one of the vessels. Hegseth has strongly denied issuing such an order.

Hegseth called the account "fabricated, inflammatory and derogatory," and President Trump said he would look into the matter while adding that he believed Hegseth "100%" when he denied ordering the strike.

Congressional response

Republican leaders of the congressional committees that oversee the Pentagon said they will investigate the reports. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R) and the panel's top Democrat, Jack Reed, said they would conduct "vigorous oversight." On the House side, Chairman Mike Rogers (R) and ranking member Adam Smith (D) said they were taking bipartisan steps to assemble a full accounting.

Several Republicans joined Democrats in saying that, if the allegation is true, the reported order would be unlawful. Representative Mike Turner described such an order as "very serious" and "an illegal act," while Senator Rand Paul noted that laws and customs of war forbid ordering "no quarter" — directing lethal force against those who surrender or are otherwise unable to fight.

Context and broader concerns

U.S. forces have carried out at least 21 strikes on vessels suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September, with reports saying at least 83 people have been killed. Critics from both parties have questioned the practice of striking boats that might be fishing vessels rather than attempting to capture and question survivors.

In recent months, Senate Republicans blocked resolutions that would have limited the administration's ability to strike Venezuelan territory or halted the boat operations without clearer congressional authorization. Earlier objections from Republicans have been rare during the administration's second term, but concerns about other policies—such as a proposed Ukraine peace plan—have provoked recent criticism from some GOP lawmakers.

Lawmakers say they will seek classified and unclassified briefings and records to determine what orders were given and whether they complied with U.S. law, rules of engagement and international humanitarian law.

By Patricia Zengerle

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