Members of the U.S. Congress, including several Republicans, have expressed concern over recent U.S. military strikes on a vessel off the coast of Venezuela, pledging bipartisan investigations into the legality and authorization of the attacks.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Monday, December 1, 2025, that two separate strikes were carried out on the same boat in early September, describing them as “lawful operations” approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The confirmation came amid growing scrutiny after lawmakers raised concerns that a second strike, allegedly targeting survivors, may have violated international law.
The incidents mark the second major issue in a week to prompt dissent within Republican ranks, who have largely backed President Donald Trump’s second-term foreign policy agenda. Earlier, several GOP lawmakers criticized the administration’s handling of a proposed Ukraine peace plan they said “tilted toward Russia.”
The Washington Post first reported that Hegseth had “issued a spoken directive” to eliminate everyone aboard one of the Venezuelan vessels — a claim he has strongly denied.
Hegseth Denies Ordering Second Strike
Hegseth dismissed the allegations as “fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory,” asserting that no unlawful order was given. President Trump, addressing reporters, said he would review the matter but added that he believed Hegseth “100%.”
The Senate and House Armed Services Committees, both led by Republicans, have pledged full oversight. In a joint statement, Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) said they would conduct “vigorous oversight.” Their counterparts in the House, Mike Rogers (R-Alabama) and Adam Smith (D-Washington), echoed the call for transparency.
Leavitt told reporters that Hegseth had spoken with “concerned members of Congress” over the weekend, assuring them that all actions were carried out under existing legal authorities.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) confirmed bipartisan support for a review, saying, “I’m glad the relevant committee, the Armed Services Committee, is going to examine those facts. We’ll see where they lead.”
Possible Violations of Warfare Laws
Several lawmakers from both parties have warned that if reports of a second strike on survivors prove true, it could constitute a war crime.
“Obviously, if that occurred, that would be very serious, and I agree that that would be an illegal act,” said Representative Mike Turner (R-Ohio), a former Intelligence Committee chair, during an appearance on Face the Nation.
Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) emphasized on social media that, “It is not permitted, under the laws and customs of honorable warfare, to order that no quarter be given, to apply lethal force to those who surrender or who are injured, shipwrecked, or otherwise unable to fight.”
Paul had previously co-sponsored a bipartisan bill seeking to limit the Trump administration’s military campaign against Venezuela, though it was blocked by Senate Republicans.
Democratic Senator Brian Schatz (Hawaii) called for Hegseth to testify before Congress in December, ahead of the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Concerns Over Broader Military Campaign
The strikes off Venezuela are part of an ongoing U.S. military buildup targeting drug trafficking networks allegedly tied to President Nicolás Maduro’s government. According to Pentagon data, U.S. forces have carried out at least 21 strikes on suspected drug boats across the Caribbean and Pacific since September, killing at least 83 people.
Critics, including Democrats and a few Republicans, have questioned the policy of destroying vessels outright instead of detaining crews for interrogation.
In November, Senate Republicans blocked a resolution that would have barred President Trump from launching attacks on Venezuelan territory without congressional approval. A similar attempt in October to halt the boat strikes also failed, underscoring the strong party support for Trump’s aggressive military strategy in the region.
