UPDATE - White House confirms 2nd strike on alleged drug boat, but denies Hegseth gave order

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By Yasin Gungor and Michael Hernandez

ISTANBUL/WASHINGTON (AA) - The White House confirmed Monday a controversial second military strike on a drug boat in the Caribbean, but denied Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the killing of survivors.

"President (Donald) Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made it clear that presidentially designated narco-terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting in accordance with the laws of war," spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

She said Hegseth authorized US Special Operations Command commander Adm. Frank Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes on Sept. 2.

Leavitt said Bradley directed the second engagement, acting "well within his authority and the law" to ensure the threat was eliminated.

She said the strike was conducted "in self-defense" to protect Americans.

According to a report in The Washington Post, which the US administration denied, a commander ordered a second strike to eliminate two survivors from the initial attack to comply with a directive by Hegseth to kill everyone on board.

Meanwhile, both the House and Senate armed services committees are currently investigating the incident, which was part of a broader campaign since September that has seen at least 21 strikes against boats suspected of transporting narcotics, killing at least 83.

US Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Sunday that a war crime may have been committed during the incident and Republican Rep. Don Bacon termed the report "a big concern."

Leavitt said the Pentagon chief on weekend spoke with Congress members who expressed their concerns about the incident. She emphasized that Congress has received 13 briefings so far regarding the attacks in Venezuela.

Trump on Sunday also dismissed the report, defending Hegseth. "Pete said that didn't happen. I have great confidence (in him) ... Pete said he did not order the death of those two men," he said.