Speaker of the House Mike Johnson defended the Trump administration’s recent military strikes in the Caribbean, citing “exquisite intelligence” as justification for targeting alleged drug traffickers.
President Trump is facing bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who argue he has overstepped his authority by launching the strikes without congressional approval. They have accused the administration of keeping them in the dark.
Mr. Johnson, however, backed the president’s actions.
“Thus far, the intelligence we have is very reliable,” Mr. Johnson said on “Fox News Sunday,” reiterating an earlier description of the secret intelligence information that is being used to identify the drug-running boats as “exquisite.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced another strike over the weekend, claiming three suspected drug smugglers were killed. “This vessel — like EVERY OTHER — was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics,” Mr. Hegseth wrote on X.
The U.S. military has conducted more than a dozen strikes in the region, resulting in over 60 reported deaths.
Mr. Trump has framed the campaign as part of an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, invoking the same legal authority used by President George W. Bush during the post-9/11 war on terror.
Much of the administration’s focus has been on Venezuela.
Mr. Trump recently confirmed CIA involvement in covert operations within the country, fueling speculation that he aims to oust President Nicolás Maduro, whom he has labeled a drug trafficker.
Military ships and aircraft have reportedly gathered off the coast of Venezuela. When asked on Friday whether he planned strikes inside Venezuela, Mr. Trump responded, “No.”
In his social media post, Hegseth warned, “Narco-terrorists are bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans at home—and they will not succeed.” He added, “The Department will treat them EXACTLY how we treated Al-Qaeda. We will continue to track them, map them, hunt them, and kill them.”
Mr. Hegseth confirmed that no U.S. military personnel were harmed in Saturday’s lethal strike.
