3 important questions about the US boat collision that claimed survivors' lives

Navy Admiral Frank M. Mitch Bradley is scheduled to brief top lawmakers on Capitol Hill this Thursday regarding the Trump administrations controversial strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean. Recent reports have raised intense scrutiny over the September 2 operation, which reportedly involved two strikes to comply with what was described as an order from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to leave no survivors.

The administration has stated that Admiral Bradley, leading the Special Operations Command, initiated the second strike independently, without direct instructions from Hegseth, though officials maintain he acted within his authority. The revelations, first reported by The Washington Post, have also sparked debates over whether targeting survivors clinging to the wreckage could constitute a war crime.

Key Questions for Lawmakers

Members of the Senate and House Armed Services and Intelligence committees are preparing for a classified briefing. The main questions revolve around the following issues:

1. What orders did the Defense Secretary issue?

The September 2 strike marked the first U.S. attack on a Venezuelan vessel allegedly transporting drugs and cartel members in international waters. According to sources cited by The Washington Post, Hegseth issued a verbal order before the initial strike: kill everybody. After the first strike, commanders monitored a livestream of the burning vessel, and upon identifying two survivors, Admiral Bradley reportedly ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseths instructions.

Hegseth has denied the medias characterization of his order, labeling reports as fake news, yet he did not directly refute the kill everybody claim. He maintained that U.S. military operations against suspected drug-smuggling vessels are lawful and intended as lethal strikes. The White House also denied Hegseth ever gave a kill everybody directive, stating that the President retains the authority to act against narcotics traffickers.

2. What was the legal justification for the second strike?

Questions about the legality of the second strike are central to Thursdays briefing. The Post reported that Admiral Bradley viewed the survivors from the first strike as legitimate targets, reasoning they could potentially alert other traffickers. Critics, including legal experts and former military officials, argue that striking survivors in the water could be considered a war crime. Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall described the second strike as unjustified, stating that the individuals were wounded and posed no threat, labeling it a textbook example of a war crime.

Further reports suggest the September 2 operation involved four strikes: two to eliminate the people on board and two to destroy the vessel. Questions remain regarding what military leaders observed during the livestream of the first strike and the subsequent actions.

3. Where was Secretary Hegseth during the strikes?

Hegseth stated that he did not witness the second strike, learning of it hours later due to attending another meeting. Lawmakers, including Senator Angus King, have expressed interest in seeing Hegseths schedule and video footage to clarify his involvement and oversight during the operation. President Trump indicated that any available footage of the second strike would be released.

As the classified briefing approaches, lawmakers are seeking clarity on these critical aspects of the controversial strikes, including the chain of command, legal authority, and operational transparency surrounding the deadly operation in international waters.

Author: Noah Whitman