U.S. Military and GOP Mount Legal Defense for Controversial Venezuela Strikes

U.S. Military and GOP Mount Legal Defense for Controversial Venezuela Strikes Top Pentagon officials and Republican leaders in Congress are mounting a coordinated defense of recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela, citing legal reviews and existing war powers as they face scrutiny over operational decisions. The public campaign began after the Pentagon defended a senior commander's choice to authorize strikes on a Venezuelan target. A spokesperson stated that the actions taken by Admiral Bradley followed proper legal procedures and were vetted by military and civilian lawyers [17258]. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later addressed a specific incident where naval forces struck the same boat twice, attributing the decision to the inherent confusion of combat. "I did not see survivors," Hegseth stated, explaining his support for the admiral's choice to fire again to "eliminate the threat" in what he called the "fog of war" [17273]. Separately, Hegseth has publicly asserted that all U.S. military activities in the Caribbean region are lawful under both U.S. and international law [15064]. On Capitol Hill, Senate Republicans are taking procedural steps to shield the legal authority used for the operation, known as "Operation Absolute Resolve." GOP leaders plan to block a Democratic effort to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), which the administration cited to justify the action [50051]. Republican lawmakers argue the 2001 law provides clear legal grounds for such missions, pointing to a U.S. indictment against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro [41491]. Former President Donald Trump has also entered the fray, offering a full-throated defense of Secretary Hegseth against allegations related to the strikes. "I believe him 100%," Trump stated, backing the Defense Secretary's denial of ordering an improper second strike [15991]. The unified front from military and political figures underscores the legal and political battles brewing over the scope of presidential war powers and the rules of engagement in complex overseas operations. Pentagon Defends Commander's Decision in Venezuela Strikes **Pentagon Defends Second Strike in "Fog of War" Incident** Pentagon Official Defends Legality of Caribbean Operations Senate Republicans Move to Shield Trump's War Powers Republicans Defend Trump's Venezuela Operation, Cite Legal Precedent Trump Defends Defense Secretary, Backs Denial of Second Strike Allegation