"We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. A large tanker, very large," Trump told reporters. "And other things are happening."
Trump did not provide additional details about the seizure, and he told reporters they would hear from "the appropriate people" about it.
"It was seized for a very good reason," Trump said.
Attorney General Pam Bondi later posted a video of the seizure, which showed U.S. forces landing on the tanker via helicopter and taking control of the vessel.
Bondi said the FBI, the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security had collaborated to execute a seizure warrant for the tanker, which she said was used to "transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
"For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations," Bondi posted on social media. "This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely—and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues."
The U.S. Coast Guard reportedly led the seizure of the tanker, with support from the Navy.
Democratic lawmakers and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) quickly expressed concern that the seizure could further increase tensions between Washington and Caracas, while other GOP senators said they were awaiting more information.
"It sounds a lot like the beginning of a war," Paul told NewsNation's Hannah Brandt on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Conn.), meanwhile, said he is "gravely concerned that [Trump] is sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela."
The U.S. government has established a massive military presence in the U.S. Southern Command area, sending warships, Marines, fighter jets, spy planes and other assets, arguing the buildup is necessary to halt the smuggling of narcotics and defend the U.S.
The administration also has, in recent months, been carrying out military strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific, striking more than 20 vessels and killing dozens of people in the process, whom the administration has labeled "narco-terrorists." Those strikes have come under intense scrutiny from lawmakers in both parties.
Read the full report at thehill.com.
