As the Trump administration gears up for a congressional briefing on its Venezuelan operations, a cascade of legal and political controversies is converging.
U.S. Boat Strikes Near Venezuela Spark Congressional Inquiry
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are slated to brief House and Senate members on Tuesday. Their briefing follows a series of U.S. military strikes in international waters near Venezuela that have killed 16 people in total.
- Three new boat attacks were announced, targeting “designated terrorist organizations.” Eight more people were killed.
- The strikes come after a September attack that killed two survivors of an initial boat assault allegedly linked to cocaine trafficking.
- Legal experts have warned that the strikes could constitute war crimes or murder.
The briefings are part of a broader congressional investigation into the escalation of U.S. military force in the region.
Designation of Clan del Golfo as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
On Tuesday, the State Department added the Colombia-based Clan del Golfo to its list of foreign terrorist organizations and a specially designated global terrorist group.
> “The group’s primary source of income is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its violent activities. Clan del Golfo is responsible for terrorist attacks against public officials, law enforcement and military personnel, and civilians in Colombia,” the department said.
This move follows at least 13 Latin American designations since January and more than 20 military strikes on alleged narcotics-transporting vessels.
Vanity Fair Profile of Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
The Trump White House has been rattled by a two-part Vanity Fair profile that featured months of interviews with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
- Wiles called the piece a “hit piece” and denied no specific quotations.
- She criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi for “whiffing” on the Epstein case, saying Bondi distributed empty binders to political commentators and claimed a client list was on her desk when none existed.
- Wiles also said the president has “an alcoholic’s personality,” a claim the president himself has denied.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Wiles, posting on social media that “President Trump has no greater or more loyal advisor than Susie.”
Wiles, who managed Trump’s 2024 campaign, is the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff.
Trial of Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan
Prosecutors in Milwaukee are arguing that Judge Hannah Dugan knowingly helped an immigrant evade federal agents.
- Jurors heard audio in which Dugan told a court reporter, “I’ll get the heat,” while discussing assistance for Eduardo Flores-Ruiz.
- The prosecution cross-examined an FBI agent involved in the arrest.
The case is now in its second day.
Job Market Woes and Economic Uncertainty
Delayed U.S. job reports reveal a mixed picture.
- November added 64,000 jobs, but October saw a loss of 105,000 jobs after federal cutbacks.
- The unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, the highest since 2021.
- Companies are hesitant to hire new staff amid uncertainty over tariffs, high interest rates, and Trump’s unpredictable policies.
U.S.-Russia-Ukraine Peace Efforts Gain Momentum
President Zelenskyy told reporters that a deal with U.S. officials could be finalized within days, after which American envoys would present it to Moscow.
- A draft peace plan discussed in Berlin is “not perfect” but “very workable.”
- Key unresolved issues include the status of Ukrainian territory occupied by Russian forces.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin may balk at proposals that include postwar security guarantees for Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized Russia’s desire for a comprehensive peace deal, warning against “momentary, unsustainable solutions.”
White House Denies Conflicts of Interest
Karoline Leavitt stated that “neither the President nor his family have ever engaged, or will ever engage, in conflicts of interest.”
The claim comes amid scrutiny of a Trump Media deal with crypto.com, which could expose conflicts as Trump family businesses partner with federally regulated companies.
White House Ballroom Construction Holds National Security Grounds
A court filing on Monday asserted that the White House ballroom construction must continue for national security reasons.
- The filing responded to a lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sought to halt the project.
- The administration’s 36-page filing included a statement from Matthew C. Quinn, deputy director of the Secret Service, that more work is needed to meet “safety and security requirements.”
The filing does not detail the specific security concerns but offers to share classified information with the judge in a private setting.
Trump’s Legal Battles with the Media
A timeline of Trump’s lawsuits against media outlets highlights a pattern of conflict:
- Sept. 22 – ABC reinstates Jimmy Kimmel’s show.
- Sept. 15 – Trump sues the New York Times.
- July 18 – Trump sues The Wall Street Journal.
- July 18 – Colbert’s show is canceled.
- July 2 – Paramount settles with Trump for $16 million over a “60 Minutes” interview.
- May 1 – Trump slashes funding for PBS and NPR.
- Feb. 12 – Trump removes the AP from the White House press pool.
- Dec. 2024 – ABC settles defamation lawsuit.
## Trump Suits the BBC for $10 Billion
A 33-page lawsuit filed in Florida accuses the BBC of defamation over an edited version of Trump’s January 6 speech.
- The suit alleges the BBC “spliced together two entirely separate parts” of the speech to misrepresent Trump’s meaning.
- Trump seeks $5 billion in damages for defamation and $5 billion for unfair trade practices.
- The BBC apologized last month but rejected claims of defamation, leading to resignations of its top executive and head of news.
Key Takeaways
- Congressional briefings will address U.S. boat strikes near Venezuela and potential war-crime allegations.
- Clan del Golfo has been added to the U.S. terrorist list, expanding the administration’s counter-drug strategy.
- A Vanity Fair profile of Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has sparked a defensive response from the White House.
- Legal and economic controversies-from a judge’s trial to job market uncertainty-continue to challenge the administration.
The Trump administration faces a crowded docket of investigations, lawsuits, and policy disputes, all converging as it seeks to justify its actions on the world stage.
Closing
With national security briefings, court cases, and media battles all unfolding simultaneously, the Trump administration’s next moves will be closely watched by lawmakers, the public, and international observers alike.
