U.S. Military Officials Restricted from Briefing Congress on Drug-Boat Strikes Without Pentagon Approval

The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly imposed new restrictions on its military officials, barring them from discussing recent anti-drug maritime strikes with members of Congress without prior authorization. The move, reportedly approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has stirred concerns over transparency and congressional oversight of military operations.

According to U.S. media reports, senior officers involved in maritime counter-narcotics missions must now seek clearance from Pentagon leadership before providing any details to lawmakers. The directive follows a series of controversial U.S. strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats operating in international waters near Latin America – operations that have drawn attention for their secrecy and legal ambiguity.

The Pentagon has defended the new policy as a necessary measure to protect sensitive operational details and safeguard personnel involved in ongoing missions. However, several lawmakers have expressed frustration, arguing that the restrictions undermine Congress’s constitutional authority to oversee military actions and assess their legality.

Critics of the decision say the move could further limit accountability regarding U.S. use of force in non-war zones. Questions remain about whether the targeted vessels were directly linked to drug cartels and whether sufficient evidence was presented before authorizing lethal action.

Analysts believe the issue could reignite debates in Washington over executive power, congressional oversight, and the scope of U.S. military engagement in counter-narcotics missions overseas. With bipartisan concerns emerging, the Pentagon may face increasing pressure to justify its policies in upcoming hearings.