US Defense Secretary Defends Controversial Follow-Up Boat Strikes
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WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended U.S. follow-up strikes on an alleged drug‑smuggling boat at a Dec. 2 cabinet meeting, saying he did not see survivors and invoking the 'fog of war.' The strikes began on Sept. 2 as part of a counterdrug campaign that included over twenty strikes and more than eighty fatalities. A Washington Post report that Hegseth ordered forces to 'kill everybody' prompted congressional inquiries and classified briefings where military leaders showed video and said no kill order existed. Senators pledged a War Powers vote if strikes hit Venezuela. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.
More context
Timeline
- 1. Sept. 2: U.S. forces carried out initial strikes on alleged drug boats.
- 2. Campaign expanded over following weeks to 20+ strikes and ~80 deaths.
- 3. Washington Post published allegations that a senior official issued a 'kill everybody' directive.
- 4. Congressional Armed Services and Intelligence Committees opened inquiries and requested briefings.
- 5. Dec. 2: Hegseth defended strikes at a White House cabinet meeting; classified briefings followed.
Sources
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