UPDATE: GOP Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has issued a stark warning, stating that whoever ordered a military strike on survivors of a recent boat attack should “get the hell out of Washington.” This explosive remark follows the confirmation of a second strike against survivors from the Pentagon’s initial boat attack, which has raised serious ethical and legal concerns.
The U.S. military executed the controversial strike on survivors, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserting that Adm. Frank Bradley acted “within his authority and the law.” However, Tillis emphasized the need for accountability, declaring that if the orders are substantiated, they would violate ethical, moral, and legal codes.
This situation unfolds amid increasing scrutiny over a nearly three-month campaign of lethal strikes targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Lawmakers from both parties are now demanding greater congressional oversight following a report by The Washington Post, revealing that a U.S. commander allegedly ordered a follow-up strike that resulted in the deaths of two survivors to comply with a verbal directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The scale of these operations is alarming, with at least 83 people killed in over 20 strikes, including 11 fatalities on September 2 alone, according to official figures. Concerns have been raised by former military lawyers and international observers who warn that these operations risk violating both domestic and international law, potentially exposing U.S. personnel to legal consequences. Despite this, a classified Justice Department memo reportedly assures that participants would not face prosecution.
In a statement reinforcing support for military operations, Hegseth has dismissed allegations of wrongdoing as “fake news,” asserting that the Caribbean operations are lawful and conducted under the guidance of military and civilian legal experts. President Donald Trump has also backed Hegseth while expressing his disapproval of the notion of a follow-up strike, stating, “I wouldn’t have wanted that.”
The fallout from these military actions continues to escalate. Representative Michael Turner, Republican chair of the House Intelligence Committee, described a follow-up attack as a “very serious” potential illegal act if confirmed.
As the controversy unfolds, accountability for the military’s actions is becoming a priority. Senate Armed Services Committee leaders Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Jack Reed (D-RI) have called for “vigorous oversight” and pledged to investigate the September 2 mission and subsequent strikes.
The White House has indicated that President Trump will conduct further reviews of the situation. Leavitt announced that Trump is set to meet with his national security team to deliberate ongoing operations in the Caribbean and potential actions against Venezuela.
This is a rapidly developing story. Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent situation, as the implications of these military actions reverberate through Washington and beyond.
