Lawmakers were disturbed by the explanation provided regarding the justification for killing two incapacitated men, with the implication that they were still considered threats. The administration maintained that the men were still involved in drug trafficking, thus perpetuating the idea that they were engaged in armed conflict with the U.S. despite being shipwrecked. This rationale contradicts the laws of war, which generally prohibit killing those no longer actively participating in a conflict. The core argument is a dangerous extension of executive power, allowing for summary military execution of civilians in international waters.
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Hegseth Asked Top Admiral to Resign After Months of Discord
The story of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Admiral Alvin Holsey is a stark illustration of the tensions brewing within the highest echelons of the U.S. military. The core issue revolves around a fundamental disagreement: whether to blindly follow orders or exercise professional judgment, especially when those orders raise legal and ethical questions. The narrative presented reveals a growing chasm between Hegseth’s approach to military command and Admiral Holsey’s commitment to upholding military standards, ultimately leading to the admiral’s premature departure.
Months of friction between Hegseth and Holsey marked the lead up to the admiral’s forced retirement.… Continue reading
In a resurfaced 2016 video, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated there should be “consequences” for carrying out unlawful orders. This clip has gained renewed attention as the Pentagon, now under Hegseth’s leadership, is investigating six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members not to follow illegal directives. The lawmakers’ video prompted accusations of “seditious behavior” from President Trump, while Hegseth himself criticized the Democrats’ message as “despicable, reckless, and false”. The controversy underscores the military’s obligation to obey lawful orders but refuse unlawful ones, as explicitly stated in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
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In his book, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth describes instructing troops to ignore legal advice regarding the rules of engagement in Iraq, emphasizing a need to destroy threats without restrictions. He also criticized constraints placed on soldiers and expressed admiration for commanders who encouraged aggressive actions. This stance, along with his role in pardoning or supporting soldiers accused of war crimes, has drawn scrutiny, particularly in light of an incident where he allegedly ordered the killing of all survivors in a Caribbean drug boat incident. Experts like David Crane have criticized Hegseth’s views, emphasizing the importance of following the rules of engagement and the negative impact of such actions on military professionalism.
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Fears grow inside military over illegal orders after Hegseth authorized follow-up boat strike. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the authorization of a follow-up boat strike by Hegseth has cast a long shadow over the military, sparking deep concerns about the potential for illegal orders and the consequences of blindly following them. The discussions surrounding this situation highlight a serious erosion of trust and a growing sense of unease within the ranks.
The core of the problem seems to be the very nature of the actions themselves. Striking against unarmed boats, regardless of suspicions of drug smuggling, is, at its face, problematic.… Continue reading
The White House confirmed Admiral Frank M. Bradley ordered the second strike on the alleged drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean, which resulted in the death of two survivors. This confirmation follows reports and allegations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commanded military personnel to “kill everybody” on board. While Leavitt stated Bradley was within his authority, the Pentagon’s Law of War Manual prohibits attacking the wounded, sick, or shipwrecked. This incident has led to increased scrutiny, with members of Congress and experts calling for investigations into potential war crimes amidst growing questions about the Trump administration’s lethal campaign.
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User feedback regarding video advertisements revealed several common problems. Respondents frequently reported slow loading times for both the ads themselves and the subsequent video content. Issues also included frozen or incomplete ad playback, as well as instances where the intended video failed to start after the ad concluded. Additionally, complaints about excessively loud audio levels in the ads were prevalent.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood