'Lawful and needful': Navy admiral dispels Hegseth's alleged 'kill them all' order during drug-boat strike
Amid accusations of war crimes stemming from a recent drug-trafficker strike, Navy Admiral Frank Bradley clarified that Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth did not issue an order to 'kill them all' during the operation on September 2. The Washington Post's report ignited controversy, but Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Tom Cotton, defended the military actions as lawful and necessary, asserting that Hegseth's directives were misrepresented. Bradley's remarks were supported by footage from the strike, showing survivors attempting to salvage a drug-laden vessel. As the administration doubles down on its stance, the political ramifications of this incident could influence future military engagement strategies against drug trafficking.
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The Washington Post's article claimed that Hegseth's order to Admiral Bradley was tantamount to a war crime, citing the September 2 strike against drug boats as a critical event.
Senator Tom Cotton emphasized that all strikes conducted on September 2 were lawful, insisting that Bradley was clear about not receiving any orders to execute survivors.
Bradley corroborated Hegseth's defense, stating that the military's actions were justifiable and necessary to prevent further drug trafficking into the United States.
Footage shown to lawmakers depicted two survivors attempting to flip a drug-laden boat, illustrating the immediate threat posed by other narco-terrorist boats nearby.
The defense from military officials and Republican lawmakers suggests a concerted effort to counter negative media narratives surrounding the incident.
The ongoing controversy and defense of military actions may have broader implications for future U.S. military operations in combating drug trafficking, especially in politically charged environments.
This incident reflects a wider political struggle, as various actors in Congress and the administration seek to frame military actions and responses amid complex drug-related challenges.