A firestorm erupts in Washington after House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly defends Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the U.S. military following a classified congressional briefing on December 16, 2025. The closed-door session, led by Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, detailed ongoing U.S. strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats operating near Venezuelan waters - including the highly controversial September 2 incident involving a reported “second strike” on survivors. <br /> <br />Johnson called the action “entirely appropriate” and “necessary to protect the United States and our interests,” echoing his earlier assessment after viewing classified video footage. Republicans have largely backed the operation, while Democrats are demanding transparency and the public release of unedited video evidence - a request the Pentagon has so far refused. As tensions grow, critics warn the operation could further inflame U.S.-Venezuela relations and raise serious questions about military conduct and accountability. <br /> <br />#USStrikesVenezuela #MikeJohnsonDefendsStrikes #PeteHegseth #USMilitaryVenezuela #DrugSmugglingBoats #VenezuelaWaters #ClassifiedBriefing #SecondStrikeControversy #USDefenseNews #MarcoRubio #CongressionalBriefing #VenezuelaTensions #PentagonNews #BreakingNews #USMilitaryOperations #WarOnDrugs #NavalStrikes #VenezuelaCrisis<br /><br />~ED.103~
