U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke to CBS News following a visit to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where American troops returned after what he described as a successful mission in Venezuela.
“I saw the best of America. I saw men and women who dedicate their lives to defending our country and accomplishing that mission,” he told the broadcaster, the BBC’s U.S. partner.
Asked whether President Trump would seek congressional approval for the next steps regarding Venezuela, Hegseth said, “This was a law enforcement operation,” while adding that “we will keep Congress involved.”
“What happens next will be in the hands of the Venezuelan people to decide, but ultimately America will benefit… in terms of security and prosperity, and we believe the Venezuelan people may benefit as well,” he said.
Hegseth praised Trump as a “president of action,” adding that “you don’t win peace in this dangerous world without strength.”
The Secretary of Defense also spoke at length about “prosperity from oil” for America as another factor behind the mission.
