WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Senator Angus King (I-ME), laid out his concerns over the Trump Administration’s larger strategic goals following military actions in Venezuela, as well as the general lack of clarity in U.S. cyber defense capabilities. During his opening remarks, he pressed Lt. General Francis L. Donovan, nominee to lead U.S. Southern Command, on the existing U.S. military presence off the coast of Venezuela and the purpose of the mission in the Caribbean. Senator King then pivoted towards the topic of cybersecurity and pressed National Security Agency Director nominee Lt. General Joshua M. Rudd to commit to a strategy of cyber warfare deterrence.

Senator King began, “Yesterday, several votes changed on the War Powers Resolution with regard to Venezuela. Based upon explicit assurances in writing from the administration, there would be no troops on the ground in Venezuela. So that raises the question, what is the mission? What is the purpose of this gigantic armada that is now in the in the Caribbean adjacent to Venezuela? It seems like we're hearing that—a very famous New Englander said once, ‘your actions speak so loudly that I can't hear your words.’ We're getting words about no intention of further action in Venezuela, but the actions are six destroyers, a nuclear submarine, an aircraft carrier, thousands of troops. What's the mission of that group in the Caribbean?

“Senator, from my current position, again, I'm not part of any of the planning. But I will pledge to you, Senator, that if confirmed, in the SOUTHCOM headquarters, work with the supporting commanders, understand the tasks that come down or given to the command. We will execute a very precise planning process that will provide the best options,” General Donovan responded.

“So you don't know what the plan is now? You don't know why all those ships and aircraft and soldiers are—,” Senator King continued.

“I do not,” General Donovan answered.

“Another question about what's gone on. Have you seen the video of the second strike on the boat on September 2^nd?,” Senator King asked.

“Senator, I have not,” General Donovan answered.

“Well, I would recommend it to you because it raises serious issues. I would commend to you section 18, .3.2.1 of the War Manual of the United States government, which says, as an example of an illegal order: orders to fire upon the shipwrecked would be clearly illegal. I would urge you to look at that video in light of that admonition and the clear rules in the manual of war, that, it is not legal to fire upon, shipwrecked, individuals,” Senator King finished.

Senator King then continued his remarks by asking General Rudd what his opinions were about how best to protect United States’ interests in cyberspace:

“General Rudd, one of the problems, I believe, in our, cyber policy over the years is a lack of deterrent capability. Our adversaries continue to attack us in cyberspace, going back to the Sony hack and up to, Assault Typhoon, Volt Typhoon. And there's never a response. Do you believe, as a matter of policy, that CYBERCOM and NSA should develop an offensive cyber declaratory deterrent policy?,” Senator King began.

“Senator, I don't I don't know if it's my role, if confirmed to declare policy. I think what I can pledge to you, if confirmed, we would develop the capabilities—,” General Rudd replied.

Senator King followed up, “I don't believe it is your role to declare policy, but it's your role to provide the best advice to the president on policy. And my question is, do you believe that we should develop and have a publicly declared deterrent policy in cyberspace”

“Senator, I don't know that that's my role to have that opinion. I think my role is to develop the options that would deliver deterrence, that, if decided to be declared or not, would be the most credible, capable—,” General Rudd answered.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator King is recognized as an authoritative voice on national security and foreign policy issues. Senator King co-leads the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, where he provides oversight on nuclear enterprise and missile defense. In a hearing last September, Senator King pressed the nominee to serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict in the Department of Defense (DoD), about his views on the legality of the recent unprecedented lethal strikes on vessels in the Caribbean ordered by the Trump Administration. Additionally, Senator King – who served as the Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission – has been a vocal advocate for strengthening the United States’ deterrence strategy to defend itself from multiple forms of Chinese aggression.

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