Hegseth and Rubio to Brief ‘Gang of Eight’ as Trump Leaves Military Options for Venezuela on the Table – Live Updates on U.S. Politics
Hegseth and Rubio Expected to Brief ‘Gang of Eight’
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine are scheduled to brief the “Gang of Eight” lawmakers this Tuesday afternoon, according to reports citing sources familiar with the plan and a Trump administration official.
The “Gang of Eight,” which comprises intelligence committee leaders and Congressional heads from both parties, is typically informed about major national security actions.
The specific details of the briefing, expected to commence at 3:30 PM ET, remain undisclosed.
As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Venezuela, President Donald Trump has threatened land strikes against suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers. This follows over three months of military operations targeting alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. In a recent interview, Trump did not rule out the deployment of U.S. troops in Venezuela, stating, “I don’t comment on that. I wouldn’t say that one way or the other.”
When queried about implementing a strategy similar to that used in Venezuela against Mexico and Colombia, Trump affirmed, “Yeah, I would. Sure. I would.”
The U.S. military has reinforced its naval presence in the Caribbean, featuring an aircraft carrier strike group and a nuclear submarine.
Adm. Alvin Holsey, the outgoing commander of U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in Latin America, is also anticipated to brief separate groups of House and Senate lawmakers on the same day.
With his retirement announcement just two months prior, Holsey’s departure comes in the wake of increasing scrutiny of Trump’s military operations. Recent strikes have resulted in nearly 90 fatalities and have raised concerns among lawmakers regarding the legality of the actions.
Trump’s military actions have been under heightened observation since a controversial decision made on September 2, resulting in a second strike against a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean. Reports indicate that footage of the attack showed two men clinging to wreckage, unarmed and without communication devices, raising ethical questions regarding the rules of engagement under international law.
While discussing the release of the video of the strike, Trump stated on Monday, “Whatever Hegseth wants to do is OK with me,” in a shift from earlier commitments to share the footage.
The annual defense policy bill currently moving through Congress includes provisions that compel the Pentagon to present unedited video footage to Congressional committees, with conditions that include withholding a portion of Pentagon travel funds if compliance does not occur.
Trump Grades U.S. Economy as ‘A-Plus-Plus-Plus-Plus-Plus’
In a recent interview, Trump assigned an impressive grade of “A-plus” to the U.S. economy, later enhancing it to “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus.” He addressed concerns about the cost of living, asserting that he inherited a “total mess” when he took office, claiming that prices were at an all-time high. “But prices are coming down substantially… It’s been 10 months. It’s amazing what we’ve done,” he stated.
When questioned about the potential reduction of tariffs on additional goods, Trump expressed, “On some. And on some I’ll increase tariffs. Because you know what happens is because of tariffs, all of the car companies are coming back.” He noted that the U.S. lost a significant portion of its automobile business due to previous administrations’ decisions, contributing to the economic issues faced today.
In his remarks regarding the computer chip industry, Trump disclosed that he had approved Nvidia to sell certain chips to China in exchange for a 25% surcharge for the U.S., a decision intended to recapture lost business.
Trump Defends Tariff Regime: ‘Only Dark and Sinister Forces Would Want This to End’
As he prepares to address the U.S. economy and cost of living at a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump has staunchly defended his tariff policies. He emphasized their role in enhancing national security and described America as significantly stronger than ever before. “Only dark and sinister forces would want to see that end!” he proclaimed in a recent post.
Supreme Court justices are expected to render a ruling on the legality of Trump’s tariffs soon, having heard oral arguments last month. The decision is anticipated by the end of the year or early 2026.
In another post, Trump stressed that a negative ruling on tariffs would represent an unprecedented threat to U.S. national security, indicating that Europe may also impose tariffs on China if the Chinese government fails to address trade imbalances. He quoted the French president on the ongoing discussions regarding China’s trade practices.
