Top national security officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will brief Congress behind closed doors about a rapid U.S. military buildup and deadly maritime strikes near Venezuela that have raised legal and ethical concerns. The Pentagon reported three additional attacks that reportedly killed eight people, and lawmakers are advancing war powers measures after the administration did not seek congressional authorization. Separate controversies include a proposed Trump Media–Crypto.com venture that has prompted conflict-of-interest questions, a legal battle over White House ballroom construction, and President Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC.
Hegseth and Rubio to Brief Congress Amid Questions Over Rapid U.S. Military Escalation Near Venezuela
President Donald Trump speaks during a Mexican Border Defense Medal presentation in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Washington, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, looks on. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Top national security officials from President Donald Trump’s administration are scheduled to return to Capitol Hill to answer lawmakers’ questions about a rapid buildup of U.S. military activity — including deadly maritime strikes in international waters near Venezuela.
Who Is Testifying
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other administration officials will hold closed-door briefings with members of the House and Senate as congressional inquiries continue into a September strike that killed two survivors of an earlier attack on a vessel alleged to be carrying cocaine.
Allegations, Legal Concerns and New Attacks
Legal analysts have warned the September action could amount to a war crime or even murder. On the eve of the hearings, the Pentagon announced three additional maritime strikes it described as targeting "designated terrorist organizations," saying eight more people were killed. Lawmakers and legal experts are pressing for details about rules of engagement, target identification and the chain of command for these operations.
Congress, War Powers and Oversight
The briefings come as the U.S. increases warship deployments, conducts fighter-jet patrols near Venezuelan airspace and seized an oil tanker as part of efforts the administration says are aimed at criminal and terrorist networks tied to the Maduro regime. The administration has not sought congressional authorization for these operations, prompting lawmakers to advance war powers resolutions that could come to a vote this week.
Ethics Concerns: Trump Media And Crypto.com
Separately, critics have raised conflict-of-interest concerns after Crypto.com — which had faced regulatory scrutiny under the prior administration — announced plans to place roughly $1 billion in assets into a venture with Trump Media. Ethics experts say the transaction illustrates how business ties between presidential family companies and federally regulated firms can create the appearance of favorable treatment.
White House Ballroom Dispute
In another legal matter, the administration argued in a court filing that construction of a new White House ballroom must proceed for national security reasons. The filing, in response to a suit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, included a declaration from the deputy director of the U.S. Secret Service saying further work is required to meet the agency’s safety and security needs. The administration offered to provide classified details to the judge in private.
Trump’s Lawsuit Against BBC
President Trump filed a 33-page lawsuit in Florida seeking $10 billion from the BBC, alleging its broadcast edits of his January 6 speech amounted to defamation and unfair trade practices. The BBC apologized for an editorial "error of judgment" but has rejected the claim that it defamed the president; the incident led to the resignations of the broadcaster’s top executive and head of news.
What’s Next
Lawmakers will press administration officials behind closed doors for explanations. Possible outcomes include further congressional oversight, votes on war powers measures, and continued legal scrutiny of both the military actions and related ethics questions.
