The White House supports Hegseth, even though he is facing accusations of "war crimes".

The White House has declared Nicolás Maduro's leadership in Venezuela as 'illegitimate' and confirmed that attacks on boats suspected of drug trafficking will continue. President Donald Trump defended Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following reports of a military attack on September 2 against a boat suspected of narcoterrorism, which has been criticized as a possible war crime. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly emphasized that the attack on survivors in the water could be considered illegal. Hegseth argued that the orders given were legal under U.S. and international law. Trump stated that he would not have wanted a second attack, but supported Hegseth, claiming that he did not give such orders. Recent attacks have resulted in the deaths of over 80 people in the last three months.