Hegseth boat collision aftermath, accusations of war crimes: What you need to know

Reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed U.S. forces to "eliminate everyone" on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean earlier this September have sparked major concern in Washington. The claims, detailed by The Washington Post, have drawn scrutiny from congressional leaders and a cautious response from President Trump.

The report states that the initial strike left two survivors, prompting the mission commander to carry out a follow-up attack to comply with Hegseths reported directive of leaving no one alive. The revelation has reignited debate over the legality of the Trump administrations operations against so-called narco-terrorists in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 80 suspected traffickers in recent months.

The administration maintains that the U.S. is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels, though it has not publicly presented evidence of an imminent threat to Americans. Some lawmakers argue that attacking individuals who no longer pose a danger could constitute a war crime.

Details from the Washington Post

The Post describes the events of September 2, when U.S. forces first targeted a Venezuelan vessel allegedly carrying drugs and cartel members in international waters. Surveillance aircraft tracked the boat, and intelligence assessments indicated that the 11 passengers were involved in drug transport.

According to sources cited by the report, Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill everybody. A missile struck the vessel near Trinidad, and commanders observed two survivors clinging to the wreckage. Following the directive, the mission commander launched a second strike, which resulted in the deaths of the remaining two individuals.

Hegseth later dismissed the report as fake news but defended the legality of U.S. strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats, emphasizing that the operations are intended to stop dangerous drugs and target traffickers linked to designated terrorist organizations.

Congressional Response

Leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees announced investigations to clarify the events. Representatives Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and Adam Smith (D-Wash.) emphasized the importance of bipartisan oversight to understand the follow-up strikes and ensure accountability.

Senate leaders Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) echoed these concerns, stating the committees would rigorously examine the Department of Defenses actions. Other members of Congress, including Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), raised questions about the legality of targeting survivors, with some suggesting the incidents could constitute war crimes if the administrations armed conflict rationale is invalid.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that if the administrations claim of an armed conflict is inaccurate, the first strike could be considered murder, and the follow-up strike could amount to a war crime.

Trump Distances Himself

President Trump appeared to separate himself from the alleged second strike, expressing confidence in Hegseth while questioning the reports. He stated that he would not have authorized a follow-up attack and emphasized that the first strike was effective and legally justified.

Trump said he was unaware of a second strike and promised to investigate further, reiterating that Hegseth denied ordering the deaths of the two survivors.

Author: Grace Ellison