Pete Hegseth says he ‘didn’t stick around’ to watch second strike on alleged drug boat as Democrats slam administration over attacks – as it happened

Defense secretary says he moved on to my next meeting' as sensitive military operation was under way; top Democrat calls Hegseth spineless' and a national embarrassment'. This blog is now closed.

• White House selling out' admiral to shield Hegseth over strikes, officials say

• Trump threatens strikes on any country he claims makes drugs for US

Joseph Gedeon is a politics breaking news reporter based in Washington

The FBI director, Kash Patel, is in over his head" and leading a chronically under-performing" agency paralyzed by fear and plummeting morale, according to a scathing 115-page report compiled by a national alliance of retired and active-duty FBI special agents and analysts.