What recent changes has President Trump made regarding military strikes?
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump has changed his position on releasing video of a second strike on a boat in the Caribbean. The strike killed two survivors of an initial attack on the vessel that the administration says was carrying drugs. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben has more.
Last week, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he had, quote, no problem with releasing video of the second strike. Today, however, in response to a reporter's question, he denied saying that and said he's deferring to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Whatever Hegseth wants to do is OK with me.
He now says it's under review. Are you ordering the secretary to release that full video?
Whatever he decides is OK with me.
Trump went on to insult the journalist, calling her obnoxious and a terrible reporter. Hegseth's role in the strikes has come under increasing scrutiny after members of Congress on key committees viewed the video of the second strike behind closed doors last week. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.
In the recent draft of the defense funding bill, congressional leaders included a provision that would limit a portion of travel funds for Hegseth's office. Until he releases unedited video of the strikes conducted against alleged drug runners in the Caribbean and Pacific, the House could vote on the bill in the coming days.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Brussels to meet with European Union and NATO leaders. Terry Schultz reports they're expected to discuss an EU plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's recovery and war effort.
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