Staff officers and at least one drone pilot have sought advice from outside groups over legal concerns about their own involvement — or potential involvement — in the strikes against suspected drug boats.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy admiral who is retiring early from command of the campaign to destroy vessels allegedly carrying drugs near Venezuela spoke to key lawmakers Tuesday as Congress seeks more answers on President Donald Trump’s mission, which, in one instance, killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage of an initial strike.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with lawmakers on Tuesday about the Sept. 2 alleged drug boat strikes that killed two survivors of an initial attack.