Yes — the major development today involves President Donald Trump holding a high-level Oval Office meeting on Venezuela, amid growing scrutiny over recent U.S. military actions in the Caribbean.
What happened today?
President Trump convened a top-tier national security meeting at the White House to review the United States’ strategy on Venezuela.
The meeting included:
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
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Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio
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Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
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Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller
The focus was on the escalation of U.S. military activity in the Caribbean — where the U.S. has deployed over a dozen warships and nearly 15,000 troops under Operation Southern Spear.
Why was this meeting important?
The administration is under rising pressure from lawmakers regarding a controversial September 2 strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean.
The issue:
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The first strike disabled the boat.
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A second strike reportedly killed survivors in the water.
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If true, lawmakers say this could constitute a war crime.
Sen. Angus King called the alleged second strike “a stone-cold war crime” and “murder.”
What did the White House say today?
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed:
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Trump was meeting with his national security team on Venezuela.
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The U.S. actions were in self-defense and “in international waters.”
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The strike was ordered by Adm. Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley, who acted “within his authority.”
She said the goal of Sanctions + Operation Southern Spear is to “ensure peace” and counter threats from Venezuela-linked drug networks.
Did Trump make any comments?
Yes — Trump distanced himself from the second strike.
He told reporters:
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He “would not have wanted” a second strike.
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He is “not sure it happened.”
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Defense Secretary Hegseth “did not want them” either.
Is there an official new policy announcement?
No new written policy announcement was issued, but today’s Oval Office meeting and the White House briefing effectively serve as the administration’s latest official update on:
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U.S. military posture near Venezuela
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Legal scrutiny of the September 2 strikes
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Continued operations under Operation Southern Spear
In summary
Yes, the U.S. President was involved in a major, news-making development today — a high-level Oval Office meeting on Venezuela — but there was no new executive order or formal policy announcement issued publicly.
Today’s development is essentially:
Trump reviewed military operations on Venezuela
White House defended the legality of the Caribbean strikes
Trump denied personally approving the second strike
Military leadership is under growing Congressional scrutiny
