U.S. Defense Policy

At his confirmation hearing, Marine Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan — President Trump’s nominee to lead U.S. Southern Command — was repeatedly pressed by senators about the rapid expansion of U.S. operations in Latin America after months of maritime strikes and the recent raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro; Donovan said he is prepared to oversee a larger SOUTHCOM footprint but did not know the administration’s long‑term plan or how long the buildup would last. Lawmakers from both parties voiced legal and oversight concerns — citing the lethal boat‑strike campaign, a CIA drone dock strike, a multi‑ship and troop deployment, and questions over War Powers and allied intelligence sharing — while signaling they expect to move toward confirmation but want greater transparency.