President Donald Trump made a startling claim about his administration's strikes on drug boats in international waters on Sunday while speaking to reporters at Palm Beach International Airport.
So far, the administration has conducted at least 21 strikes, killing around 90 people. The administration has claimed they are striking drug runners who are bringing drugs into the U.S., although it has provided scant evidence to support the claim. Reporting indicates that the Trump administration has also refused to arrest some survivors of the strikes, which has led experts to question the legality of the operations.
During a press conference on Sunday, Trump said he's instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to "keep Congress informed" about the strikes, but reiterated that "we don't need their approval" before conducting the operations.
"We like to keep Congress involved," Trump said. "I mean, we're stopping drug dealers and drugs from coming into our country. I actually told Marco and some of the other people...go to Congress and let them know we're not letting drugs come through Mexico; we're not letting them come through Venezuela, and let Congress know about it."
"We don't have to get their approval, but I think letting them know is good," he continued.
Reporter: On Venezuela, are you discussing options with congress?
Trump: I told Marco let them know we are not letting drugs come through… We don't have to get their approval but I think letting them know is good… if they say we don't want you to stop drugs from coming into… pic.twitter.com/drzamaFZef
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 17, 2025