US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the Donald Trump administration backs the decisions of its commanders amid attacks against alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessels. Hegseth, speaking at a Cabinet meeting alongside President Trump, said, “We always have the back of our commanders.” Hegseth is under Congress’ scrutiny for a follow-up strike on an alleged drug boat in September. The Washington Post first reported that Hegseth issued a verbal order for the second strike that killed survivors on the boat. The White House said that a Navy admiral acted “within his authority and the law” when he ordered the second strike. n18oc_crux | n18oc_world

