Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wouldn’t comment on whether the U.S. is planning military actions against Venezuela, while criticizing Democrats for the current shutdown that has prevented the federal government from paying U.S. troops.
The U.S. military has conducted over a dozen strikes on ships allegedly carrying drugs in international waters near Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of numerous suspected narco-terrorists, while the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group have been ordered to the U.S. Southern Command area. These actions have led to questions about whether the U.S. is preparing to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
At an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) defense ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday, a reporter asked Hegseth if the United States was planning to strike inside Venezuela.
“I appreciate the question, but we certainly wouldn’t share any operational details about potential future actions,” Hegseth told reporters on Saturday.
SENATORS AIM TO PREVENT TRUMP FROM STARTING ‘HOSTILITIES’ IN VENEZUELA
President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he was not considering strikes inside Venezuela, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the White House refuted reports citing anonymous “sources” that claimed such a plan was underway.
Hegseth was also questioned about a possible ethics review regarding an anonymous $130 million donation intended to pay troops during the government shutdown.
According to The New York Times, Timothy Mellon, a private billionaire and a significant financial supporter of President Donald Trump, made the donation.
“We are very grateful for the generous Americans who are willing to ensure that U.S. troops are paid,” Hegseth stated. “And we’re thankful to President Trump and Vice President Vance and everyone, [director of the Office of Management and Budget] Russ Vought, and others who ensured, and our department did ensure, that the troops are getting paid, no matter what.”
Hegseth emphasized that paying troops is a presidential priority and criticized Democrats for not voting to reopen the government.
“Democrats are not helping to ensure that,” Hegseth said regarding troop payments.
TRUMP PROMOTES US STRIKE AS MADURO CONDEMNS MILITARY ‘THREAT’ OFF VENEZUELA
“President Trump is making it happen, which is an important outcome, because the work we’re discussing here, across our country, is certainly being led by the Department of War,” he stated.
The funding pause began with the Oct. 1 shutdown, after Senate lawmakers didn’t reach a spending agreement before the end of fiscal year 2025. This followed a short-term extension of fiscal year 2025 funding, meant to keep the government running through Nov. 21, which passed the House mainly along party lines earlier in September.
Mellon, a grandson of former Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon and a Trump supporter, has donated tens of millions of dollars to groups backing the president’s 2024 campaign. Last year, he contributed $50 million to a super PAC supporting Trump, marking one of the largest individual donations ever disclosed, according to the New York Times.
Hegseth also addressed reports that the United States was planning a “show of force” in response to recent Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, stating that those reports don’t align with the current situation.
“Admiral Papara [Indo-Pacific Commander] and I are in constant communication, ensuring we have the necessary capabilities where and when we need them, but those specific reports don’t reflect what’s happening right now,” Hegseth explained.
“We’re always ready for any potential situation, ensuring we’re well-positioned and collaborating with our partners in the Philippines,” he added. “We have numerous options and capabilities in the region, but we won’t disclose exactly what we may or may not do.”
The United States and the Philippines have also established a new joint task force to improve cooperation and strengthen military readiness in areas like the South China Sea.
Fox News’ Lauralee Guidry, Diana Stancy, Sophia Compton and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
