Lawmakers from both parties said they support investigations into U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels after reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth verbally ordered all survivors of a Sept. 2 strike to be killed.

Members of Congress stressed they do not yet know whether the allegation is true, but warned that such an order would be illegal and potentially a war crime.

The bipartisan leadership of both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees has launched oversight inquiries, while Hegseth has dismissed the report as fabricated and insisted all operations comply with U.S. and international law.

The controversy comes as President Trump escalates pressure on Venezuela, confirms a recent call with Nicolás Maduro, and threatens expanded military actions tied to anti-drug operations, the AP reported.

Trump said he believes Hegseth’s denial but added he would not have supported a follow-on strike targeting survivors.