The Trump administration is set to hold a private meeting with congressional leaders known as the “Gang of Eight.”
The briefing comes at a crucial time in President Donald Trump’s first year, just days after the administration released its national security strategy, and as geopolitical tensions escalate between the United States and Venezuela. The “Gang of Eight” refers to the majority and minority leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Speaker of the House and the House Minority leader, and the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine will discuss a variety of topics with the lawmakers, according to ABC News. Included in the classified briefings are expected discussions about U.S. military strikes on suspected drug cartels in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and potential operations against Venezuela and the regime of its president, Nicolas Maduro, according to various reports.
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Furthermore, the meeting comes as the Trump administration is mired in the so-called “double-tap” controversy stemming from Sept. 2 military strikes against a suspected drug-trafficking boat from Venezuela.
Additionally, on Tuesday, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), chairman of the Armed Services Committee, is expected to separately meet with Admiral Alvin Holsey, according to ABC News. Halsey was previously the commander of the U.S. Southern Command, starting his position in November 2024, before unexpectedly announcing his resignation in October 2025 due to reported policy disagreements with Hegseth, less than a year in the position. Typically, commanders of Southern Command serve a three-year term. Holsey had served in the Navy since 1988.
