U.S. Has Now Killed At Least 95 People Aboard Alleged Drug Boats After Latest Strikes

The U.S. has now killed at least 95 people aboard alleged drug vessels after a series of three strikes in the eastern Pacific.

The U.S. military said in a statement that the strikes targeted "designated terrorist organizations," killing eight people across the strikes. Three were killed in the first vessel, two in the second and three in the third. The U.S. has now conducted 25 strikes since the campaign began in September.

The attacks took place shortly before briefings are set to take place on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are set to grill officials about the campaign. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also provide closed-door briefings for congresspeople and senators.

Hegseth has faced increased scrutiny lately, especially after reports surfaced that one of the attacks included a second strike to finish off two survivors.

In this context, The Atlantic detailed that there are increasingly fewer people willing to stand up for Hegseth in the administration. Moreover, the outlet added, Trump is growing tired of the scandals and and not pushing back against those saying he's not up for the job, also unhappy about the fact that congressional Republicans are taking advantage of the issues to stand up to the White House.

Another report by the Daily Mail added that Hegseth is openly antagonizing those inside the Pentagon who are questioning the strategy. The stance included reportedly launching a profanity-laced tirade against an adviser who spoke against the strikes.

The outlet claimed that Hegseth called an advisor who raised concerns about the strikes a "p---y" during a meeting in which the person was not present. He also said another advisor who questioned the legality of the attacks was "weak." The ministry rejected the accounts.

"As someone who's in most meetings with the secretary, I can tell you from firsthand experience that this isn't true. He listens a lot, asks good questions, takes recommendations, and trusts his team and commanders," said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell to the Daily Beast.