Trump news summary: Hegseth under scrutiny for boat strikes with first formal complaint filed by victim's family

A deadly US military operation targeting an alleged drug smuggling boat has ignited widespread concern among lawmakers, with questions raised about the legality of a follow-up strike that killed survivors from the initial attack. Critics argue the so-called double-tap operation could constitute a war crime.

The Pentagon and former Trump administration officials have pointed to Adm. Frank M. Bradley, who directed the mission under authorization from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, while maintaining the strike was conducted within legal bounds.

During an extended cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Donald Trump intensified his rhetoric on drug trafficking, warning of military action against any nation he believes is supplying illegal narcotics to the US. Later, the family of a Colombian man killed in one of the attacks filed an official complaint, marking the first formal challenge against the Trump administration regarding these strikes.

Pentagon Defends Operation, Blames Admiral

Officials have shifted responsibility onto a naval admiral for the extrajudicial double-tap strike on a suspected drug boat on September 2, promising to continue similar operations even as lawmakers examine whether the attack violated international law.

At the cabinet meeting, Pete Hegseth stated: Weve only just begun striking narco boats and putting narco terrorists at the bottom of the ocean. He supported Adm. Bradley, who is scheduled to give a classified briefing to congressional military oversight committees, emphasizing that Trump always has our back and that commanders are supported in making difficult operational decisions.

Trump Threatens Military Action Against Drug-Producing Countries

President Trump warned that any country believed to be producing narcotics destined for illegal import into the US could face military strikes. During a White House Q&A session, he also suggested imminent military action on land targets in Venezuela, reiterating his position that nations producing drugs for illegal distribution are legitimate targets, echoing earlier threats aimed at Mexico.

Family Files First Formal Complaint Over Strike

A Colombian family submitted a petition on Tuesday to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Washington, DC, claiming that Alejandro Carranza Medina was unlawfully killed during a US airstrike on September 15. This submission represents the first official challenge to the Trump administrations airstrikes on suspected drug vessels, which the White House contends are legally justified under a unique interpretation of the law.

Additional Trump Administration Developments

• Trump made inflammatory remarks about Somali immigrants and Representative Ilhan Omar, as reports indicate heightened immigration enforcement against undocumented Somalis in Minnesota.
• Philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell donated $6.25 billion to encourage 25 million American children under 10 to claim new investment accounts established through Trumps tax and spending legislation.
• The administration threatened to withhold SNAP food assistance from several Democratic-led states unless they provide recipient data, including social security and immigration status.
• Pope Leo advised Trump to avoid military action against Venezuela and to pursue diplomatic dialogue instead.
• The administration reversed the suspension of FEMA workers who had signed a dissenting open letter.
• Trump posted 160 messages on Truth Social in under four hours on Monday night.
• Shares in Eric Trumps cryptocurrency mining company dropped by more than 50% in less than 30 minutes on Tuesday.

Author: Sophia Brooks