WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday defended a series of US strikes on alleged drug cartel boats, saying President Donald Trump has broad authority to take military action “as he sees fit” to protect the country.

The strikes, which have killed at least 87 people, are facing growing scrutiny from lawmakers and legal experts over possible violations of international law.

Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Hegseth compared the campaign to the fight against Al-Qaida after the Sept. 11 attacks.

“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,” he said.

“President Trump can and will take decisive military action as he sees fit to defend our nation’s interests.”

Lawmakers have pressed for details on the legal basis for the strikes and whether U.S. forces were instructed to carry out a follow-up attack in September even after the Pentagon determined survivors remained.

Hegseth’s remarks came as the Trump administration unveiled a new national security strategy portraying European allies as weak and emphasizing U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

He also warned of China’s growing influence and reiterated Trump’s pledge to resume nuclear testing “on an equal basis” with China and Russia — a proposal that has alarmed nuclear experts.

China and Russia have not conducted explosive nuclear tests for decades, though Moscow has said it would match U.S. testing if Trump proceeds.

Hegseth used his speech to cast Trump as Ronald Reagan’s “true and rightful heir” in foreign policy, while criticizing post-Reagan Republican leaders for supporting costly Middle East wars and democracy-building efforts he said failed.

He also derided those who argue climate change poses a threat to military readiness.

“The war department will not be distracted by democracy building, interventionism, undefined wars, regime change, climate change, woke moralizing and feckless nation building,” he said. — Agencies