Right-wing pundit argues that Americans are unconcerned about Hegseth's alleged 'war crimes'

On Thursday evening, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro suggested that the American public is largely unconcerned about the controversy surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the so-called double tap boat strike. Shapiro argued that citizens are more preoccupied with everyday issues such as the rising cost of living.

Speaking on NewsNations CUOMO, Shapiro dismissed questions about the legality of the September boat strikes, during which U.S. forces reportedly killed survivors of an initial attack. I dont. I frankly dont think that Americans care very much about what is being reported with regard to Secretary Hegseth, Shapiro told host Chris Cuomo and guest Stephen A. Smith. He added, The thing people actually care about, obviously, is the cost of living.

Over the past week, Hegseth and the Trump administration have strongly denied claims that the defense secretary directed a second strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in the Caribbean, which reportedly killed survivors and could constitute a war crime. They maintained that the admiral who executed the strike acted within the law.

Shapiro downplayed both the double tap strike and the suggestion that Hegseth had authorized it. He emphasized that the average citizen is largely unaware of the details, noting that recent reports indicate Hegseth may not have ordered the second strike at all. Im not even sure what were arguing about at this point; it does feel like a distraction from other things, Shapiro remarked, echoing the rhetoric commonly used by the president and his supporters.

Shapiro, co-founder of the right-wing media platform The Daily Wire, implied that Democrats highlighted the war crime allegations to raise Senator Mark Kellys visibility or justify a recent video he participated in with five other Democrats. The video, now under investigation by the Trump administration, featured six Democratsveterans and former intelligence officialsreminding active service members that they are not obliged to follow illegal orders.

Although the video did not reference a specific unconstitutional order, it provoked anger from former President Trump, who accused the lawmakers of sedition and suggested their actions were punishable by death. Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin later explained that the video was prompted by concerns from military personnel about repeated strikes on boats allegedly transporting narcotics to the U.S.

Despite the questions surrounding the legality of the double tap strike, the administration and Trump allies have consistently maintained that the actions were lawful. On Thursday, Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley, responsible for the September 2 strike, presented lawmakers with footage of the operation, affirming that Hegseth did not authorize the second strike.

Author: Noah Whitman