This is another bad sign of internal resistance among the military.
The GOPe is planning to remove Hegseth, BECAUSE, “see, the Coast Guard can do this better and won’t hurt the poor innocent fisherpersons, who can now claim asylum and get benefits!”
USCG operates under DHS, not under DOW control. Probably different rules of engagement in place for USCG on interception of boats at sea. USCG might not have the assets to take out a boat like those under Hegseth’s control.
I think it boiled down to the drugs being in an area of USCG responsibility. It’s not likely that they’d be allowed to patrol the interface of Venezuelan and international waters.