WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cited the 'fog of war' in defending a follow-up strike on an alleged drug-carrying boat in the Caribbean Sea earlier this year. During Tuesday’s cabinet meeting at the White House, Hegseth said that he did not see that there were survivors in the water when the second strike was ordered and launched in early September, adding that 'the thing was on fire' and repeating his 'fog of war' defense. He also stated he 'didn’t stick around' for the remainder of the mission following the first strike, asserting that the admiral in charge had 'made the right call' in ordering it and had 'complete authority to do.' The Washington Post first reported that Hegseth issued a verbal order for the second strike, which resulted in civilian casualties. The White House later affirmed that Navy Vice Adm. Frank 'Mitch' Bradley acted 'within his authority and the law' when he ordered the second strike. In light of the incident, lawmakers have initiated congressional reviews of U.S. military actions targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels. Bradley is scheduled to provide a classified briefing to Congress on Thursday. When asked about the second strike, President Donald Trump stated, 'I didn’t know anything' and indicated he had not received extensive information as he relies on Hegseth for updates.