Lawmakers caution that Hegseth may be guilty of war crimes after second-strike report

On Sunday, lawmakers from both political parties voiced serious concerns that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have committed a war crime. The alarm follows reports that he authorized a follow-up strike intended to eliminate survivors of a boat attack in September. According to The Washington Post, Hegseth approved an unusual operation targeting all survivors of a Trump-era attack on vessels allegedly transporting drugs in international waters. POLITICO has not independently verified these claims.

Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that if the report is accurate, the actions would qualify as war crimes. Kaine told CBS Nancy Cordes on Face the Nation, If that reporting is true, it's a clear violation of the Department of Defenses own laws of war, as well as international law governing the treatment of individuals in such situations. This would rise to the level of a war crime.

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) echoed these concerns on CNNs State of the Union, calling the alleged order clearly not lawful. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) also condemned Hegseth on social media, stating, Pete Hegseth is a war criminal and should be fired immediately.

The Pentagon has refrained from detailed comment, beyond a Friday social media statement in which Hegseth dismissed the article as fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting, emphasizing that our operations in the Caribbean comply with both U.S. and international law. Hegseth did not deny giving the orders described in the report.

Even some Republicans expressed concern that the orders, if executed as reported, could have been unlawful. Leaders of the Armed Services Committees in both chambers pledged to investigate, with Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) committing to vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to these circumstances.

Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) told CBS Cordes that if that occurred, that would be very serious, and I agree that would be an illegal act. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told ABCs This Week that if it was as the article stated, that is a violation of the law of war. Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, added, I don't think he would be foolish enough to issue an order to kill all survivors, because that clearly violates the law of war. It would go against common sense.

This scrutiny comes amid tensions between former President Trump and Congressional Democrats over a video reminding service members of their duty to refuse illegal orders. Trump called for the six lawmakers featured in the video to face arrest and trial for what he termed seditious behavior, punishable by death, drawing Democratic outrage. The White House later clarified that Trump did not call for executions, despite a reposted, now-deleted social media post advocating hanging the lawmakers.

Analysis: Growing Concerns Over Pete Hegseth's Alleged Actions and Legal Ramifications

The recent allegations surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have stirred significant controversy in Washington. On Sunday, lawmakers across party lines expressed serious concerns regarding his possible involvement in a war crime. Reports suggest that Hegseth authorized a follow-up strike in September aimed at eliminating survivors of a boat attack, a move that some experts and politicians claim could constitute a violation of both U.S. and international law.

Notably, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), have openly stated that if the reports are accurate, the actions described could be classified as war crimes. Both senators pointed out that such orders would be in clear violation of the Department of Defense's own laws of war and international conventions governing the treatment of individuals in conflict zones. Senator Kaine's remarks on CBS' Face the Nation further emphasized the gravity of the situation, calling it "a clear violation of international law."

The Pentagon has issued a statement categorically rejecting the accusations, labeling the reporting as "fabricated" and insisting that all operations in the Caribbean adhere to both U.S. and international legal standards. However, the lack of a direct denial regarding the orders in question has only fueled further debate.

Even some Republicans have raised concerns. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, asserting that if the reports were true, they would violate the law of war. His remarks reflect a growing bipartisan interest in investigating the matter, with both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees pledging to conduct a thorough review of the claims.

This controversy also comes against the backdrop of heightened political tensions, particularly between former President Trump and Democratic lawmakers. The former president's calls for the prosecution of certain lawmakers, along with his controversial remarks on social media, have further complicated the already sensitive issue.

In summary, the allegations against Hegseth represent a critical moment for both U.S. military policy and international law. While the Pentagon has pushed back against the accusations, ongoing investigations will likely shed light on whether these actions were a breach of legal protocols. For now, the situation remains unresolved, and the political fallout could reverberate for some time.

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• Lawmakers warn Hegseth may have committed war crimes following second-strike report