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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A formal complaint has been filed with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) against the United States, marking the first of its kind concerning attacks against alleged drug-running boats. The complaint, filed by the family of Colombian fisherman Alejandro Carranza, who was identified by President Petro as a civilian killed in a U.S. strike, accuses Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth of ordering the attack. The petition alleges the U.S. violated human rights by carrying out an extrajudicial killing and violating the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man. With over 80 casualties from the military campaign, the IACHR will now review the case and make recommendations.
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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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Senator Rand Paul has accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of either lying about his knowledge of a follow-up strike on a suspected drug boat or being incompetent, due to conflicting public statements. Paul expressed concern that Hegseth may be attempting to shift blame to Admiral Mitch Bradley. Other senators, including Democrats Richard Blumenthal, Mark Kelly, and Jack Reed, have also voiced their concerns. Multiple senators are also calling for accountability for those responsible, with some suggesting that Hegseth should resign or be fired.
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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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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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This week, several major news outlets have been denied access to Pentagon briefings, which are instead being held for media organizations approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The move comes as investigations are underway regarding U.S. military strikes. These new briefings are part of a special orientation event for a new Pentagon press corps primarily comprised of conservative outlets that agreed to new operational rules. Many mainstream outlets left the Pentagon in the fall after refusing to agree to the new rules.
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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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Arizona Senator Mark Kelly accused President Trump of threatening his life for speaking the truth, which Kelly believes is an attempt to silence him. Kelly also expressed concern over a recent military strike in the Caribbean that may have resulted in the killing of survivors, calling for an investigation. The Senator further stated that he has zero confidence in Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Kelly’s comments come after Trump’s call for Kelly and others to be executed, a statement that has resulted in death threats against the Senator and his wife.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Kelly Slams Hegseth: “Embarrassing” Like a Child Playing Army, Warns of Potential War Crimes
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly accused President Trump of threatening his life for speaking the truth, which Kelly believes is an attempt to silence him. Kelly also expressed concern over a recent military strike in the Caribbean that may have resulted in the killing of survivors, calling for an investigation. The Senator further stated that he has zero confidence in Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Kelly’s comments come after Trump’s call for Kelly and others to be executed, a statement that has resulted in death threats against the Senator and his wife.
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