Overview

• Speaking at Naval Station Norfolk, President Trump said U.S. forces hit another suspected drug vessel Saturday night, though the last strike officially announced was Friday and the total publicly acknowledged death toll stands at least at 21 across four incidents.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he has every authorization needed, citing terrorist designations for targeted groups and asserting boats north of Venezuela trafficking drugs are legitimate military targets.
• Trump said maritime smuggling has dried up and indicated operations may pivot to land routes, a potential expansion he framed as a next phase of the anti‑cartel campaign.
• CNN reported a Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel memo argues the president can authorize deadly force against cartels; the opinion has not been released publicly and lawmakers have requested it.
• Russia voiced full support for Venezuela and warned of broader consequences, and multiple outlets reported Trump has halted diplomatic talks with Caracas, heightening legal, diplomatic and escalation concerns as officials still have not provided public evidence that the bombed boats carried drugs.