Admiral briefing lawmakers on ordering boat strike that killed survivors

Navy Admiral Frank M. "Mitch" Bradley is scheduled to visit Capitol Hill on Thursday to brief senior legislators regarding the Trump-era strikes targeting vessels in the Caribbean that were reportedly transporting drugs to the United States. The discussion is expected to focus on the operation conducted on September 2, which has recently faced scrutiny following reports that a second strike occurred in response to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths alleged instruction to eliminate all individuals on the boat.

Bradley, who oversaw the mission, reportedly authorized a follow-up strike after observing two survivors clinging to the remnants of the first struck vessel. Reports indicate that he considered the survivors as valid targets, reasoning that they could potentially contact other traffickers to recover themselves or the cargo. This second strike was allegedly carried out to adhere to Hegseths directive that no one aboard should survive.

However, the White House has contested claims that Hegseth issued such an order, with the Defense Secretary himself denying the attribution during a Cabinet meeting. He criticized the reporting as fabricated, asserting that phrases quoted from anonymous sources in the media had no basis in fact. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also rejected the notion that Hegseth issued any kill everybody directive.

Beyond the debate over Hegseths orders, lawmakers from both parties have sought greater transparency regarding the operations, including access to the video feeds available to military commanders after the initial strike. While the Pentagon promptly released footage of the first attack, it has withheld video from subsequent strikes. An anonymous U.S. official indicated that as many as four strikes may have taken place that day.

Hegseth stated that he did not witness the second strike in real time and only became aware of it a few hours later, explaining that he had to attend another meeting and invoking the fog of war in describing the decision-making process surrounding the operation.

Author: Connor Blake