In a bold statement on Tuesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that the United States military is intensifying its operations against suspected narco-terrorists. Hegseth emphasized that their campaign is only in its early stages.
Speaking at the ninth meeting of President Trump’s cabinet, Hegseth outlined the Department of War’s unwavering resolve to target and neutralize vessels in the Caribbean and Atlantic Oceans believed to be trafficking narcotics into the U.S.
“Our efforts to intercept and eliminate narco boats have just begun,” Hegseth declared. “These criminals have been poisoning our citizens, and we are determined to stop them, sending them to the ocean floor if necessary.”
He criticized the previous administration’s approach, claiming, “Joe Biden handled the issue with kid gloves, allowing these threats to infiltrate our borders, take over communities, and harm countless Americans. President Trump, however, decided to act decisively, confronting these terror organizations head-on.”
President Trump supported Hegseth’s statements by highlighting a significant 91 percent decrease in the volume of drugs entering the U.S. via maritime routes.
As reported by NPR, there have been 21 military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels as of November 15.
According to NPR, there had been 21 strikes on suspected drug boats as of November 15.
“We’ve had a bit of a pause because it’s hard to find boats to strike right now, which is the entire point,” Hegseth said to laughs from other cabinet officials. “Deterrence has to matter, not arrest and hand over and then do it again, the rinse and repeat approach of previous administrations. This is meant to get after that approach.”
Hegseth also reaffirmed his support for the “commanders” who make “judgment calls” during such strikes, after the White House said Monday that Admiral Frank Bradley “worked well within his authority and the law” during strikes on September 2.
“As President Trump always has our backs. We always have the back of our commanders who are making decisions in difficult situations, and we do in this case and all these strikes, they’re making judgment calls and ensuring that they defend the American people,” Hegseth said.
“They’ve done the right things. We’ll keep doing that, and we have their backs,” he added.
