House Republican: Second US strike on alleged Caribbean drug boat 'would be an illegal act'

Both the House and Senate have initiated inquiries into a second military strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean that occurred last September, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of survivors from an initial strike. NBC News’ Kelly O’Donnell reported on the developments surrounding this incident.

Several lawmakers are demanding accountability from the Trump administration following reports of a second U.S. military strike on a vessel accused of drug trafficking off the coast of Venezuela. This incident, which occurred on September 2, has raised concerns about potential war crimes and the legality of such military actions.

The United States has deployed 11 warships and approximately 15,000 troops to the Caribbean amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. The Secretary of the Navy emphasized the importance of utilizing the nation's best assets to protect the homeland. This military buildup is seen as a significant response to ongoing concerns regarding Venezuela's activities, particularly accusations against its government related to drug trafficking.

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett highlighted the positive market response to a Bloomberg report indicating he is the leading candidate to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair. In an interview on CBS News, Hassett referred to the report as a mere rumor, emphasizing the speculative nature of the situation.

Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) announced plans to refile a war powers resolution that would require congressional approval for any military action in Venezuela, expressing optimism about gaining bipartisan support this time. This move comes amid rising tensions regarding U.S. involvement in Venezuela's political situation.

A leaked phone call involving U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and a senior Russian official has raised significant concerns among U.S. lawmakers, particularly Rep. Mike Turner, who stated that the White House should be very concerned about the implications of this communication. The call reportedly involved discussions on how to present a peace proposal regarding Ukraine to President Trump.

Senator Mark Kelly announced that the Senate Armed Services Committee will conduct an investigation into reported follow-up military strikes on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, stating that military officials will be put under oath. This inquiry follows concerns about the legality and consequences of the strikes, which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties.

Key members of Congress are demanding a full accounting from the Pentagon following reports of a second military strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, which occurred after two individuals survived the initial attack in September. This has raised serious concerns about the military's engagement rules and accountability in operations targeting drug trafficking.