House and Senate committees have launched inquiries into a Washington Post report alleging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the killing of all individuals aboard a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean, including survivors of an initial strike. The bipartisan action stems from concerns over the reported actions, particularly regarding the targeting of survivors. The attacks, which have resulted in numerous deaths, are being scrutinized, with some officials suggesting that they may constitute war crimes. Hegseth has dismissed the Post’s reporting as fabricated.
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Recent reports detail a U.S. Navy SEALs strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean on September 2, allegedly ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, that may constitute a war crime. Following an initial strike that disabled the boat, a second attack targeting survivors in the water, resulting in at least two deaths, was reported. Sen. Mark Kelly and other lawmakers, all veterans, expressed serious concerns, citing that such actions are unlawful and potentially rise to the level of war crimes. Congressional committees, led by Republicans, are planning investigations into the operation, amidst escalating military campaigns in the region and growing concerns of a full-scale invasion of Venezuela, where President Trump has closed the airspace.
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President Trump has stated that Pete Hegseth denied issuing the order to kill the crew of a boat. Furthermore, the president indicated he would not have authorized a second strike on the vessel after the initial attack, even though two survivors remained. This statement comes after reports surfaced detailing the incident. The President’s comments were released on November 30, 2025 at 8:33 p.m. EST.
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A prominent conservative voice, Andrew C. McCarthy, has condemned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s actions in a Caribbean drug boat strike as potentially a war crime. McCarthy argues that the order to kill survivors of the initial strike, even if the administration claims armed conflict, violates the laws of war. Furthermore, McCarthy highlights that Hegseth’s defense on social media failed to address the report’s specific assertions. Senators have pledged oversight into the incident, while legal experts like Todd Huntley have labeled the attack as murder.
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Senators Roger Wicker and Jack Reed have announced they will conduct rigorous oversight of Caribbean strikes following reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the military to “kill everybody” on suspected drug vessels. The Senate committee has already directed inquiries to the Department of Defense regarding these alleged strikes, which have been part of Operation Southern Spear, and involved over 20 strikes since September resulting in over 80 deaths. The operation, aimed at stopping drug trafficking and eliminating “narco-terrorists,” has drawn criticism and calls for transparency, including demands from lawmakers for the release of unedited strike recordings.
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Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu has accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of potentially committing a war crime, citing reports that a second strike was ordered to kill survivors of an initial attack on a drug vessel. Lieu stated that a classified DOJ memo and military law do not authorize a second strike against defenseless survivors. The allegations stem from a Washington Post report claiming Hegseth ordered all individuals on the vessel to be killed, leading to a second strike after the first killed nine and destroyed the vessel. While the Pentagon spokesman and Hegseth have denied the report, the accusations raise serious concerns about the legality of the military operation.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed reports of potentially illegal orders regarding military strikes in the Caribbean as “fake news,” maintaining that the attacks were lawful. These remarks followed a Washington Post report alleging Hegseth ordered the killing of everyone on targeted boats, with over 80 people killed in the strikes so far. In response to the reports, a Senate committee announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the military operations. The administration justifies the strikes by claiming those on the boats are drug traffickers, primarily members of Tren de Aragua, though the administration’s claims about the nature of those killed, along with the legality of the attacks, are being questioned.
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Senators from both parties will launch a joint investigation into allegations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered no survivors in U.S. airstrikes targeting suspected drug-running vessels. The inquiry follows a Washington Post report alleging Hegseth instructed military personnel to kill everyone on board a vessel, resulting in the deaths of two survivors from an initial strike. These actions are part of a broader campaign of more than a dozen attacks that have killed over 80 people, sparking concerns about the legality and potential extrajudicial nature of the operations. Hegseth has dismissed the report as fabricated, defending the strikes as lawful and intended to combat drug trafficking and associated terrorist organizations.
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Pete Hegseth’s defense of strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats, following a *Washington Post* report alleging indiscriminate killings, has been met with a resounding chorus of skepticism and condemnation. His initial response, the now-ubiquitous “fake news” dismissal, immediately sets the tone, revealing a defensive posture rather than a clear denial of the facts presented. It’s a tactic that has become increasingly familiar, and increasingly stale, in the face of uncomfortable truths.
The accusations are serious: Hegseth and potentially other senior military leaders are being implicated in extrajudicial killings, with the *Washington Post* suggesting a pattern of violence against individuals accused of drug trafficking.… Continue reading
Reports indicate that the U.S. military may have committed war crimes in the Caribbean, targeting survivors of an initial strike on a vessel suspected of drug smuggling. Allegedly, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the killing of all individuals on the vessel, leading to a second strike that eliminated two survivors. Legal experts condemn the actions as violations of international law, and potential war crimes, regardless of the mission’s classification. The administration has denied any wrongdoing, however, and criticized Democratic lawmakers who have called for investigations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood