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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Eline Gordts

Hegseth gives defiant speech defending ‘drug boat’ strikes amid scrutiny

Man in suit on outdoor stage.
Pete Hegseth at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, California, on Saturday. Photograph: Jonathan Alcorn/Reuters

Pete Hegseth on Saturday doubled down on his defense of US military strikes on alleged drug cartel boats in the Caribbean, arguing that Donald Trump had the power to take military action “as he sees fit” and dismissing concerns that the strikes violate international law.

Hegseth spoke on Saturday at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, California, amid growing scrutiny over the legality of the attacks and his leadership of the Pentagon.

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