During a Wednesday Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, U.S. senators and Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna discussed Russia’s alleged abduction of Ukrainian children, characterizing it as a form of genocide. The hearing, titled “The Abduction of Ukrainian Children by the Russian Federation,” aimed to investigate claims that Russia has forcibly removed tens of thousands of children since the invasion began. Witnesses reported that the abducted children are subjected to cultural erasure, including name changes and forced assimilation into Russian culture, as part of a strategic effort to eliminate Ukrainian identity. Senators emphasized the need to account for every child and hold perpetrators accountable, as the abductions present a major obstacle to peace negotiations.
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The current administration has been accused of authorizing and carrying out extrajudicial killings, violating the rules of engagement and potentially committing war crimes. Multiple strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean have resulted in at least 83 deaths, targeting individuals not officially at war with the U.S. Despite this, orders have been given to kill all targets, including survivors of initial strikes, directly contradicting both military and international law. American service members are reminded that they have the right and duty to disobey unlawful orders, as the “just following orders” defense has been rejected for over half a century. Ultimately, those carrying out these actions, not the commanders, are the ones at risk of facing court-martials, federal indictments, and imprisonment for their actions.
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Following reports of potentially unlawful airstrikes in the Caribbean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a cartoon depicting Franklin the Turtle targeting “narco terrorists,” a move deemed childish and unprofessional. This post was made in the context of increasing scrutiny over the administration’s actions, including allegations of a second strike against survivors, potentially constituting a war crime. Regardless of the legal justifications for the attacks, Hegseth’s post, which also sends a poor message to the military, is deeply inappropriate and offensive. Investigations are being demanded by congressional leaders concerning the legality of the attacks, and the administration has refused to release requested information.
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Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of Defense, should be charged with murder due to his involvement in strikes on boats in the Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of approximately 83 civilians. Despite claims of a “war” against drug cartels, the article argues that these actions constitute murder, as the victims were unarmed civilians not posing an imminent threat. Even if a war were declared, international laws of war still prohibit the intentional killing of non-combatants, making the attacks war crimes. Hegseth’s alleged order to “kill everybody” after an initial strike and his subsequent statements reinforce the argument that his actions are criminal and warrant prosecution under federal murder statutes.
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Rand Paul’s assessment of Pete Hegseth – that he’s either “lying to us” about the boat strike or “he’s incompetent” – has sparked a pretty interesting reaction, haven’t you noticed? It’s like, okay, sure, that’s a reasonable observation, but the real question seems to be, “Why are we even having to entertain this as a binary choice?” The general consensus appears to be that the situation is far more likely a “both/and” scenario.
It’s not exactly rocket science, is it? Plenty of people seem to think that Hegseth is probably both lying *and* incompetent. It’s almost expected at this point, sadly.… Continue reading
In his book, Hegseth recounts an instance where he directly contradicted military briefings, instructing his platoon to engage and eliminate any perceived threats, disregarding what he deemed as “bullshit rules.” The article highlights Hegseth’s disdain for regulations, as seen in his criticism of rules he felt were arbitrarily enforced, potentially endangering soldiers for the sake of international approval. Hegseth often lauded his commander, Colonel Michael Steele, who later faced reprimand for reportedly issuing orders to eliminate all military-aged males during a raid.
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The central issue revolves around Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and allegations of war crimes, specifically concerning the killing of Venezuelan boat crews. Hegseth is accused of ordering the deaths of those aboard these vessels, with the most damning claim being the order to “kill them all.” Military experts are questioning the legality of these actions, as well as President Trump’s stance on them, particularly concerning the apparent indifference towards the laws of war, and any potential consequences that may arise. Trump’s handling of the situation and whether Hegseth is fired, or worse, indicted, could have far-reaching effects on military morale and civil-military relations, potentially emboldening violations of the law.
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Following reports of a deadly strike in the Caribbean against an alleged drug-running boat, bipartisan members of Congress are demanding answers and promising oversight into the operations. The controversy stems from reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed officials to kill survivors, leading to accusations of war crimes and calls for greater transparency. While some Republicans are defending the administration, others, including Senate leaders, are expressing concerns and calling for an investigation to determine whether ethical, moral, or legal codes were violated. Democrats are strongly condemning Hegseth’s actions, with some calling for his resignation or firing due to the severity of the alleged violations of the laws of war.
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Republicans have largely remained silent regarding Hegseth’s actions, which have resulted in numerous casualties. However, GOP-led committees in both the House and Senate are now focusing their attention on the Pentagon, requesting a thorough investigation into the September boat strikes. Chairmen of the Armed Services committees are demanding access to audio and video recordings of the incident, with the intention of uncovering the facts. Senator Tillis is specifically seeking clarity on whether Hegseth ordered a subsequent strike, which resulted in the death of survivors.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended a follow-up strike on a suspected drug-carrying boat in the Caribbean Sea, citing the “fog of war” and claiming he didn’t see any survivors. The initial strike, part of a counterdrug campaign in the region, has prompted investigations following reports of a verbal order to “kill everybody” on the boat. President Trump distanced himself from the second strike, stating he “didn’t know anything” about it, while the Pentagon’s own manual indicates that striking survivors is illegal. Navy Vice Adm. Frank Bradley is expected to brief lawmakers on the matter, while the administration maintains he acted within his authority.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood