Trump holds Venezuela Oval Office meeting amid growing questions about his military moves

President Donald Trump and top national security officials huddled at the White House Monday to discuss next steps on Venezuela, as the administration faces renewed called from lawmakers to release more information – particularly about a controversial decision in September to strike a boat in the Caribbean twice, killing remaining survivors in the second blow.

Key members of Trump’s Cabinet and national security team, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been expected to attend, sources familiar with the matter said, as well as White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.

The Oval Office meeting, which attendees began arriving for just before 5 p.m., comes as the United States has increased pressure on Venezuela with strikes on drug vessels and a  in the Caribbean. The US military has amassed more than a dozen warships and 15,000 troops in the region as part of what the Pentagon has branded “Operation Southern Spear.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that Trump was “meeting with his national security team on this subject and on many matters,” adding, “It’s part of his responsibility to ensure that peace is ongoing throughout the world.”