This is the Trump administration's statement on the 'double-tap' strike on an alleged drug boat.

The September US military strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean has drawn heightened attention from lawmakers and military legal experts, prompting evolving explanations from the Trump administration. Reports from CNN and other outlets indicate that after the initial attack killed part of the crew and disabled the vessel, the military identified survivors and ordered at least one additional strike. Overall, 11 crew members were confirmed killed, according to the Pentagon.

While President Trump announced the operation on September 2, the administration initially withheld details about the follow-up strike. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth first stated he observed the operation live, highlighting the meticulous planning. He later clarified that he only watched the first strike and learned of subsequent actions hours later. Responsibility for the follow-up strike has increasingly been attributed to Adm. Frank Mitch Bradley, commander of US Special Operations Command, by Hegseth, Pentagon officials, and the White House.

Timeline of the Administrations Statements

September 2: President Trumps Social Media Announcement

Early in the morning, Trump posted on Truth Social that US forces had conducted a strike against identified Tren de Aragua narcoterrorists in the Southern Command area. The strike killed 11 individuals and marked the beginning of a series of 21 operations that have since killed over 80 people. While the first strike targeted the Tren de Aragua gang, later strikes were not attributed to specific groups.

September 2: Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Florida

Rubio told reporters that the intercepted drugs were likely destined for Trinidad or other Caribbean nations. He deferred operational details to the Pentagon, emphasizing it as a Department of Defense operation. The administration justified the strikes legally by portraying the drugs as a potential threat to the US, though experts note that such Caribbean routes often transport cocaine to Europe.

September 3: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Television

Hegseth claimed he watched the operation live, asserting that the military knew the identities and affiliations of those on the boat. Lawmakers later reported that officials had incomplete information about the individuals involved.

September 4: Hegseth at Fort Benning, Georgia

He affirmed the militarys authority to conduct the strike but refused to provide further details, stating no public disclosure was needed. When questioned about the crews identification as narcoterrorists, he declined to elaborate.

November 30: Trump Comments on Air Force One

After media reports of a second strike, Trump said Hegseth had informed him he did not want the follow-up strike, indicating he would not have approved it. Trump did not confirm whether the second strike occurred. On the same day, Hegseth posted a controversial illustration on X depicting a children's book character attacking a boat, which later drew criticism from the books publisher.

December 2: Hegseth at White House Cabinet Meeting

Hegseth revised his account again, noting he watched only the first strike live and learned later that Adm. Bradley authorized the second strike. He stated that Bradleys decision to sink the boat was correct. Trump also confirmed he was not involved in the follow-up decision, acknowledging he only knew the boat had been struck.

Author: Caleb Jennings