Rubio and Hegseth Brief Lawmakers on US Military Strikes Against Alleged Drug Boats

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth briefed a group of top congressional members behind closed doors on Wednesday, following President Trump's orders for a wave of unprecedented U.S. military strikes against alleged drug boats. The strikes, which have been widely criticized as illegal under both U.S. and international law, have raised concerns about the potential for a new war. According to sources, Rubio and Hegseth met with a dozen members of Congress, including Republican and Democratic leaders and the top lawmakers on intelligence and armed services committees in both chambers. The meeting was part of an ongoing effort to address growing bipartisan frustration on Capitol Hill over the lack of transparency and authorization for the strikes. Lawmakers have been demanding more information on the attacks for months, with some submitting formal requests for briefings and documentation. "We need to know more about the scope and scale of these operations, as well as the legal justification for them," said Senator John McCain, a Republican from Arizona and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The American people deserve to know the truth about what's happening in their name." The strikes, which were authorized by President Trump in October, have been widely criticized by lawmakers and legal analysts. "These strikes are a clear violation of international law and the U.S. Constitution," said Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "We cannot simply ignore the rule of law and take matters into our own hands." The meeting between Rubio, Hegseth, and lawmakers was seen as a critical step in addressing the growing concerns on Capitol Hill. However, it remains to be seen whether the administration will provide the level of transparency and accountability that lawmakers are demanding. "We will continue to press the administration for answers and to ensure that any further actions are taken in accordance with the law," said Representative Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California and the House Minority Leader. The controversy surrounding the strikes has sparked a heated debate on Capitol Hill, with some lawmakers calling for a full investigation into the matter. The situation is likely to remain a major point of contention in the coming weeks, as lawmakers continue to push for more information and accountability from the administration.