The White House defended the U.S. military’s actions in the Caribbean after Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Admiral Bradley was within his legal authority when he ordered a second strike on a Venezuelan boat. The comment came during a tense White House briefing, as reporters pressed for details on the timeline and justification behind the operation.br br According to Leavitt, the decision followed established rules of engagement and was made in real time based on the threat assessment presented by U.S. forces in the region. She emphasized that the administration stands by the admiral’s judgment and rejected claims that the second strike constituted excessive force.