President Donald Trump's principal national security advisers returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, facing mounting congressional questions over a rapid escalation of American military force in the Caribbean, including deadly strikes on suspected drug-running vessels in international waters near Venezuela.
Congress Grills Officials on Caribbean Operations
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth led classified briefings for members of the House and Senate. The sessions come amid ongoing investigations into a specific military incident on 2 September 2025, where a follow-up strike killed two survivors of an initial attack on a boat allegedly carrying cocaine.
Lawmakers are examining this event as part of a broader scrutiny of the rationale for a significant US military buildup in the region, which many perceive as increasingly directed at the authoritarian government of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Administration Defends Actions and Expands Travel Bans
During the briefings, officials defended the operations. Secretary Hegseth stated the Pentagon would release the full, classified video of the 2 September strike to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, but refused to make it public. He described the ongoing "counter-drug mission" as "highly successful."
Meanwhile, the Trump administration announced a significant expansion of its travel restriction policies. Five new countries—Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria—were added to the list of nations facing bans or heightened scrutiny. The administration cited concerns over corruption, unreliable documentation, and security vetting challenges.
Separately, new restrictions were placed on individuals holding Palestinian Authority passports, effectively barring emigration to the US, with officials citing active terrorist groups in the region.
Domestic Fallout and Legal Challenges
The administration faced pushback on several domestic fronts. More than a dozen Democratic-led states, including Colorado and California, sued to restore approximately $3 billion in funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, accusing the government of unlawfully withholding congressionally approved money.
In the healthcare sector, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adopted a controversial recommendation to end the universal birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, advising it only for infants of infected or untested mothers—a move criticised by many public health leaders.
Furthermore, a federal judge indicated he would likely deny a request from historic preservationists to halt construction of a new White House ballroom, after administration lawyers argued the project was essential for national security reasons.
Internal Tensions and Whistleblower Allegations
A revealing Vanity Fair profile of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles sent ripples through the administration. The piece quoted Wiles criticising Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files and describing President Trump as having "an alcoholic's personality" (despite him not drinking). While Wiles called the article a "hit piece," she did not deny the specific quotes, prompting a wave of defensive statements from cabinet members.
In a separate legal action, a former leading scientist at the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, sued the administration, alleging she was illegally fired for warning that deep research cuts were endangering patients and public health.
The confluence of foreign military escalation, expansive immigration restrictions, and domestic political and legal battles underscores a tumultuous period in Washington, with Congress asserting its oversight role as tensions with Venezuela continue to rise.
