Overview
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon has begun preparing for possible action regarding Nigeria after President Trump threatened to halt aid and warned he could send forces or conduct airstrikes.
- Nigeria rejected U.S. accusations of crimes against Christians and announced a commission to investigate alleged attacks, while officials voiced commitment to protecting all citizens.
- Administration legal counsel told lawmakers the White House does not plan to seek new congressional authorization for continued strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels, arguing the operations do not constitute hostilities under the 1973 law.
- The Wall Street Journal reported the rationale that drone strikes launched from U.S. ships at long range keep American personnel out of immediate danger, even as members of both parties criticized the lack of transparency.
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the U.S. will test non‑nuclear components of nuclear weapons, and Trump confirmed nuclear testing will occur without specifying whether explosive warhead detonations are intended, while he declined to confirm any plans to strike Venezuela and ruled out sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.