Donald Trump has spent the last 24 hours meddling in foreign elections, pardoning drug traffickers, and tearing up Joe Biden's work, while his Secretary of War faces allegations of war crimes. The US President warned airlines and pilots to avoid Venezuelan airspace, sparking fears of unilateral military action.
Trump claimed on Truth Social that he had cancelled all executive orders not directly signed by Biden, alleging illegal use of an autopen. However, presidents cannot cancel orders via social media, and autopen use is standard and legal. The claim is a confected conspiracy theory to undermine political enemies.
Pete Hegseth, the 'secretary of war', is denying reports that he ordered the killing of all survivors from a US strike on a boat near Venezuela. The Washington Post reported that Hegseth gave an order to 'kill everyone' on the first of 19 strikes, which killed at least 76 people. Military experts say the strikes may be illegal, as no war exists between the US and Venezuela, and an order to give 'no quarter' would be a war crime.
The Pentagon denies the claims, calling the narrative 'completely false'. Hegseth said the story was 'fabricated' to discredit US warriors. Meanwhile, Trump posted a video of the strike on Truth Social, and the UK has reportedly stopped sharing intelligence on Venezuelan boats, fearing the strikes could be illegal under international law.
Trump's warning to close Venezuelan airspace is seen as a precursor to military action against Nicolas Maduro, despite his promises to avoid foreign wars. The FAA has already restricted US flights over the area.
