Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the US military's ninth strike against a drug-carrying vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in three deaths. This expands the Trump administration's campaign against drug trafficking, which has already claimed at least 37 lives since last month. Hegseth compared drug cartels to Al Qaeda, emphasizing the military's commitment to justice. President Trump supports these strikes, claiming they are necessary to protect Americans from drug-related harm, while also hinting at potential land strikes in the future. Concerns have been raised about the lack of congressional authorization for these military actions.