Admiral denies issuing 'kill everybody' order to lawmakers during briefing
- Last update: 12/05/2025
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Navy Admiral Frank Bradley, who led the September 2 strikes on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean, stated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not instruct his team to kill everybody during congressional briefings. This comes after reports suggested that Hegseth had allegedly given such an order prior to the military operation that resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals labeled as narco-terrorists.
Both Hegseth and White House officials have denied the claim, emphasizing that no such directive was issued to Bradley, commander of the Joint Special Operations Command.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, confirmed following a closed-door briefing with Bradley and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine that the admiral clearly stated he received no order to give no quarter or kill them all. Cotton noted that all military orders were carefully documented, as standard practice.
Representative Jim Himes (D-Conn.), ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, corroborated Bradleys testimony, stating that no such extreme order was given. However, Himes expressed serious concern over the September 2 operation, which involved four strikes, killed 11 people, and sank the vessel.
I reviewed the footage, and it is deeply troubling, Himes said, highlighting that two individuals killed were incapacitated and posed no ongoing threat.
Congress is investigating the rationale for the second strike and the specifics of any order from Hegseth. Democratic lawmakers are urging the administration to release the full video of the operation along with written directives from the Defense Secretary. President Trump has indicated he is open to releasing the footage.
Some legal analysts have questioned whether targeting survivors could constitute a crime. Cotton defended the militarys actions, asserting that all four strikes on September 2 were lawful, necessary, and consistent with standard military expectations.
Analysis: Clarifying the September 2 Strikes
From my perspective, the recent statements by Admiral Frank Bradley provide crucial clarity amid conflicting reports about the September 2 operation in the Caribbean. Bradley, leading the strikes, confirmed that no directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed his team to "kill everybody," directly contradicting earlier allegations.
Both Hegseth and White House officials have maintained that no such order existed, and this aligns with testimony from Senator Tom Cotton and Representative Jim Himes. Documentation and congressional briefings indicate that all military orders were standard and carefully recorded, reinforcing Bradley's account.
Despite the denials, concerns remain over the conduct of the operation. The strikes resulted in 11 deaths, including individuals who were incapacitated and posed no immediate threat. This raises questions about proportionality and the decision-making process for multiple strikes, which Congress continues to investigate.
In context, while legal and procedural frameworks appear to have been followed, the operation underscores the need for transparency. Calls to release full footage and written directives reflect growing scrutiny over military actions targeting suspected narco-terrorists and highlight ongoing debates about accountability in high-risk operations.
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Benjamin Carter
Benjamin Carter is an author and analyst who writes on political and economic trends. He is skilled in interviewing and statistical analysis.
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