US defence secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday defended the ongoing series of strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels, asserting that President Donald Trump has full authority to order military action to protect national security. His remarks came during a keynote address at the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.The strikes, which have reportedly killed more than 80 people, have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers over questions of legality and compliance with international law. Some members of Congress have also sought clarity on whether US forces were directed to carry out a second strike in September despite Pentagon awareness of survivors from the first.Rejecting criticism, Hegseth compared the counter-narcotics campaign to the post-9/11 war on terror. “If you’re working for a designated terrorist organization and you bring drugs to this country in a boat, we will find you and we will sink you. Let there be no doubt about it,” he said. He added, “President Trump can and will take decisive military action as he sees fit to defend our nation’s interests. Let no country on earth doubt that for a moment.”While Hegseth framed the alleged smugglers as equivalent to Al-Qaida operatives, several security experts have pointed out that the contexts and adversaries differ significantly.His address followed the release of the administration’s updated national security strategy, which underscores a harder line towards European allies and emphasises renewed US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Hegseth also highlighted the need to counter China’s rise “through strength”, reiterating Trump’s pledge to resume nuclear testing on par with China and Russia – a position that has raised concerns among nuclear specialists. Beijing and Moscow have not carried out explosive tests in decades, though Russia has said it would mirror any US resumption.Positioning Trump as Reagan’s “true and rightful heir” on foreign policy, Hegseth criticised Republican leaders over the years for backing Middle East wars and democracy-building efforts. He also dismissed arguments that climate change poses security risks, saying, “The war department will not be distracted by democracy building, interventionism, undefined wars, regime change, climate change, woke moralizing and feckless nation building.”(With inputs from agencies)