Hegseth will not stay awake in Venezuela for the military to strike in the middle of the government

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth refused to say whether the US is preparing military strikes in Venezuela, while blasting Democrats over the ongoing shutdown that has delayed the Federal Government from paying US troops.

The US military has carried out more than ten strikes on suspected drug-carrying vessels in international waters near Venezuela, killing suspected terrorists, and the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group have been ordered to the US Command region. The rise has increased whether we may meet with the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.

The reporter asked on Saturday at the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur if the United States plans to strike inside Venezuela.

“It’s a question, but of course, we’re not going to share any operational details about what may or may not happen,” Shegseth said on Saturday in a statement.

Senators look to block Trump from sharing ‘hostility’ in Venezuela

President Donald Trump said Friday that he did not consider strikes inside Venezuela, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the White House both denying “unnamed sources” that any plan was mentioned.

Hegsseth was also asked if there was an ethical review of the $130 million anonymous donation that will be made to pay the troops while the government is shut down.

Timothy Mellon, Billionairea Reglareverevered and the main financial backer of President Donald Trump, made the donation, according to the New York Times.

“We are very happy for the generous Americans who would be willing to make sure that the US troops are paid,” Hegseth said. “And thanks to President Trump and Vice President Vance and everybody, [director of the Office of Management and Budget] The Russians appeared, and others were making sure, and our Ministry made sure, that no matter what happens, the troops are paid. “

Hegseth said getting the troops paid for is a priority for the President and slams Democrats for not voting to reopen the government.

Democrats don’t contribute to that,” Hegseth said of the paid forces.

Two boats before being hit by US forces this week. (X.com/secwar)

Trump Touts Us Strike as Maduro Kills ‘Threatened’ Soldiers in Venezuela

“President Trump’s making that happen and that’s an important outcome, because the job we’re talking about here, across our country, the Department of Defense, certainly the Department of Defense is front and center of this,” he said.

Peat in funding from Oct.

Mellon, the grandson of former Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon, is a Trump back-up who has given millions of dollars to groups supporting the President’s 2024 campaign. Last year, he made a $50 million donation to Trump’s Super Pac PAC, marking one of the largest single donations ever made, the New York Times noted.

Hegsseth was also asked about reports that the United States is planning a “show of force” in response to recent Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. He said those reports do not match what is happening there now.

The military strikes on the ships with the most suspected Norco-terrorists have raised the hope that the US will be united until the President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro. (Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images;

“[Indo-Pacific Commander] Admiral Papara and I have met all the time, making sure we have the capabilities where we need them, when we need them,” Hegseth said.

Click here to download the FOX News app

“We are always prepared at the end of this and what may or may not happen, to ensure that we are very organized and working with our partners in the Philippines,” he added. “Basically, we’ve got a lot of options and a lot of capabilities in the region, but in the end, we’re not going to say exactly what we can or might do.”

The United States and the Philippines are also creating new joint forces to strengthen cooperation and improve military preparedness in areas such as the South China Sea.

FOX News’ Diana Stancy, Sophia Compton and Landon Mion contributed to this report.