Hegseth defends attacks on suspected cartel ships, says Trump can order use of force
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended attacks on suspected drug cartel ships during remarks Saturday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, saying President Donald Trump has the power to take military action “as he sees fit” to defend the nation.
Hegseth dismissed criticism of the attacks, which have killed more than 80 people and now face intense scrutiny over fears they violated international law. Saying the attacks are justified to protect Americans, Hegseth compared the fight to the war on terrorism after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
“If you are working for a designated terrorist organization and you bring drugs into this country on a ship, we will find you and we will sink you. Make no mistake about it,” Hegseth said during his keynote speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum. “President Trump can and will take decisive military action as he sees fit to defend our nation’s interests. Let no country in the world doubt that for a moment.”
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The most recent strike brings the campaign’s death toll to at least 87 people. Lawmakers have sought more answers about the attacks and their legal justification, and whether U.S. forces were ordered to launch a follow-up strike after an attack in September, even after the Pentagon learned of the survivors.
Although Hegseth compared the alleged drug traffickers to Al-Qaida terrorists, experts have noted significant differences between the two enemies and the efforts to combat them.
Hegseth’s comments came after the Trump administration released its new national security strategy, which portrays European allies as weak and aims to reassert US dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
During the speech, Hegseth also discussed the need to curb China’s rise through force rather than conflict. He reiterated Trump’s promise to resume nuclear testing on equal terms with China and Russia, a goal that has alarmed many nuclear weapons experts. China and Russia have not conducted explosive tests in decades, although the Kremlin said it would follow the United States if Trump restarted testing.
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The speech was delivered at the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in California, an event that brings together top national security experts from across the country. Hegseth used the visit to argue that Trump is Reagan’s “true and legitimate heir” when it comes to a strong foreign policy.
In contrast, Hegseth criticized Republican leaders in the post-Reagan years for supporting wars in the Middle East and democracy-building efforts that did not work. He also criticized those who have argued that climate change poses serious challenges to military readiness.
“The war department will not be distracted by democracy building, interventionism, indefinite wars, regime change, climate change, woke moralizing and irresponsible nation building,” he said.