BREAKING: Alarming revelations have surfaced regarding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who allegedly ordered U.S. Navy forces to “kill everyone” during a controversial strike on September 2. This incident, which targeted a suspected drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean Sea, has ignited intense scrutiny and debate over military engagement rules.
The Washington Post reported that Hegseth’s verbal order coincided with his recent speech criticizing “politically correct rules of engagement.” Speaking to over 800 top military officials in Quantico, Virginia, Hegseth stated, “We fight to win. We also don’t fight with stupid rules of engagement.” His comments, made just weeks before the strike, emphasize a shocking shift in military directives.
Legal experts are now categorizing Hegseth’s order as a potential war crime. Former military lawyer Todd Huntley outlined that the directive to show no mercy to targets could violate both U.S. federal law and international armed conflict laws. “Killing any of the occupants of the suspected drug boats would amount to murder,” he asserted.
The fallout continues as lawmakers from both parties question the legality of the strikes, which the Pentagon estimates have resulted in at least 80 fatalities. The military’s justification for these actions cites a “non-international armed conflict” against “designated terrorist organizations,” a stance supported by the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel.
U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Frank Bradley, who oversaw the September 2 strike, defended the second attack that killed two survivors, claiming they remained legitimate targets. His rationale indicates a troubling trend as the U.S. has conducted at least 22 additional strikes on suspected drug smuggling operations since that date.
As this story develops, the implications for military policy and ethics are profound. The potential breach of international standards raises critical questions about the future of military operations and accountability.
Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent situation as it unfolds.
