Rand Paul Criticizes Hegseth After Boat Strike Fallout: 'Either He Was Deceiving Us... Or He's Inept'

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) sharply criticized Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after conflicting statements emerged regarding a military strike on a boat near Trinidad.

On September 2, the U.S. conducted an airstrike on a vessel suspected of carrying Venezuelan drugs off the coast of Trinidad. Sources cited by The Washington Post reported that Hegseth instructed that all individuals on board be killed. Following the initial Navy strike, two survivors were found clinging to debris. Admiral Frank Bradley, following Hegseth's orders, reportedly considered the survivors legitimate targets, leading to a second strike that killed them.

Hegseth initially dismissed reports of the incident as "fake news." He later acknowledged the second strike but shifted responsibility onto Admiral Bradley, claiming the admiral had made the final call. Hegseth also stated he did not witness the strikes, contradicting his earlier remark on September 3 on Fox News, where he said, "I watched it live."

Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Paul expressed strong criticism of the secretary on CNN:
"It seems like they are trying to shift blame onto someone else. On Sunday, Secretary Hegseth denied any knowledge, calling it fake news. Then, the next day at the White House podium, it was confirmed. Either he lied on Sunday, or he was unaware of what occurred."

The Trump administration has conducted airstrikes on vessels it alleges are involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific. However, no evidence supporting these claims has been provided, and experts have raised legal concerns regarding the strikes.

Source: Mediaite

Author: Sophia Brooks