US defense secretary tells sailors off Puerto Rico: this isn't training
Source: msn/Reuters
12h
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told sailors and Marines on a warship off Puerto Rico on Monday that they were not deployed to the Caribbean for training but instead sent to the "front lines" of a critical counter-narcotics mission.
Hegseth's remarks came during a surprise visit along with the top U.S. general to Puerto Rico amid escalating tensions with Venezuela, which U.S. President Donald Trump's administration accuses of trafficking narcotics to the United States - allegations denied by Caracas.
"What you're doing right now - it's not training," Hegseth said aboard the USS Iwo Jima amphibious assault ship, in remarks shown in a video posted by the Pentagon on X. "This is the real-world exercise on behalf of the vital national interests of the United States of America to end the poisoning of the American people."
Trump has ordered the Department of Defense to rename itself the Department of War, a change that will require action by Congress. The new name would apply to Hegseth as well, altering his title to "Secretary of War."
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-defense-secretary-tells-sailors-off-puerto-rico-this-isnt-training/ar-AA1M8Yrr
REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143526161
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