Trump backs Hegseth as defense secretary denies ordering second strike on boat – US politics live

<p>President’s remarks come amid calls for an immediate investigation into reports Hegseth ordered a second strike on alleged drug-smuggling boat</p><p>Venezuela’s National Assembly has accused the US of committing “murder” with the strikes. It is one of the first acknowledgements by Venezuelan officials that their citizens have been targeted.</p><p>“There’s no declared war [between the US and Venezuela)] therefore this cannot be classified as anything but murder,” Jorge Rodriguez, the National Assembly president, told a press conference on Sunday.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/dec/01/donald-trump-pete-hegseth-caribbean-boats-venezuela-immigration-us-politics-latest-news-updates">Continue reading...</a>