Kelly accuses Pentagon lawyer of withholding information during boat strike briefing

Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) accused a Pentagon lawyer on Tuesday of being "evasive" regarding details of a second strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean last September. Kelly stated that the attorney did not provide full information to Congress.

"He briefed us weeks ago about this strike," Kelly told Morning Joe on MS NOW. "However, he left out key details, including the use of a second weapon. We asked numerous questions, but the responses seemed evasive. The legal justification for this operation appears incomplete."

The November briefing included appearances by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who also spoke with lawmakers, Kelly said. He emphasized the need for transparency regarding the written order and the legal reasoning behind the operation.

"We must thoroughly investigate what occurred and hold accountable those responsible," Kelly stated. A former U.S. Navy combat pilot, Kelly added, "Actions like this should never happen. Its clear that executing survivors clinging to a ship is unacceptable."

New details emerged last week through The Washington Post, revealing that Hegseth reportedly ordered the elimination of everyone aboard the alleged drug boat in early September. Following the initial strike, when two survivors clung to the wreckage, a second strike was executed under Hegseths instructions.

Although the Defense Secretary dismissed the reporting as "fake news," the White House confirmed that Hegseth authorized both strikes. The incident has drawn criticism from lawmakers and experts, with some, including Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), questioning whether it constitutes a war crime.

"For it to be a war crime, you must accept the Trump administration's claim of being in armed conflict with drug gangs," Van Hollen told ABC. "If that claim fails, the actions could be considered murder."

Author: Sophia Brooks