Trump Holds Ninth Cabinet Meeting Amid Escalating Tensions with Venezuela
Date: December 2, 2025 | Time: 1:45 PM EST
President Donald Trump convened the ninth Cabinet meeting of his second term on Tuesday, addressing pressing issues, including escalating tensions with Venezuela and the administration’s approach to combating drug trafficking in the region. The meeting comes at a time of heightened scrutiny surrounding military actions taken against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Opening Remarks and Key Discussions
The meeting began with Trump covering a range of topics, including health care, the Federal Reserve, and ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Notably, increasing attention has been directed at the Pentagon following revelations regarding a controversial follow-up strike on September 2, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of two survivors from an initial military attack.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the occurrence of a second strike, attributing the decision to a Navy admiral rather than Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. While neither Trump nor Hegseth directly addressed the details of the military actions during their remarks, Trump expressed confidence in Hegseth’s leadership, stating he is “doing a great job.”
Rebuilding Dulles International Airport
start of the significant announcements was the administration’s plan to renovate Dulles International Airport in Virginia, which Trump described as “not a good airport” and “a terrible airport.” He characterized its design as flawed, promising that the reconstruction would elevate the airport to a “spectacular” status. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed Trump’s sentiments, highlighting recent operational issues at the airport.
Continued Military Actions Against Drug Traffickers
Hegseth was the first Cabinet member to address the meeting, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to targeting alleged drug boats. He emphasized a relentless approach to dismantling drug trafficking organizations, asserting that efforts “to put narco-boats and narco-terrorists at the bottom of the ocean” have only just begun. Hegseth criticized previous administrations, suggesting that the current approach is necessary to protect American citizens from drug-related harm.
Focus on Health Care Reform
Trump reiterated his proposals for health care reform, advocating for direct financial assistance to consumers instead of reliance on the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies. He criticized current legislation, labeling it a “disaster” and forecasting legislative negotiations with Democrats to better serve American families. Trump claimed that the Republican Party is united in its efforts to reform health care.
Criticism of Federal Reserve Leadership
In a familiar pattern, Trump vocally criticized Jerome Powell, the Chair of the Federal Reserve, describing him as a “stubborn ox” and “incompetent.” He suggested that Powell’s leadership has not sufficiently reduced interest rates and hinted at plans to announce a new candidate for the Fed chair position in the coming year.
Trump’s Reflections on Leadership and Competence
During the meeting, Trump also reflected on his cognitive abilities, claiming he feels sharper than he did 25 years ago, following the disclosure of favorable results from his recent physical examination. He noted no significant health issues were identified during the assessment.
Conclusion
As Trump concludes 2025, he characterized the year as “most consequential and successful” and underscored his administration’s focus on key infrastructure and security initiatives. With the final Cabinet meeting of the year complete, the administration now faces challenges as it moves forward into 2026 amidst ongoing national and international scrutiny.