Rand Paul insists on Pete Hegseth testifying 'under oath' following recent boat collision

A Republican senator is demanding that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appear under oath to explain the U.S. military's missile strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul made the call after hearing testimony from Admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine during hearings with the House and Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees. The first confirmed lethal strike against alleged narcotics traffickers occurred on September 2, sparking public outrage.

Controversy intensified after reports emerged suggesting that Hegseth may have authorized a second strike aimed at survivors clinging to wreckage in the ocean. Paul said the secretary must clarify the orders given and emphasized that the footage of the affected individuals should be shown to the American public.

Connecticut Representative Jim Himes, ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, described the video as one of the most disturbing things he had witnessed in his public service career.

During the hearings, Admiral Bradley maintained there was no second "kill" order. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, affirmed that the Navy SEAL involved had received no instruction to eliminate all survivors.

Hegseth defended his actions in a recent cabinet meeting, citing the fog of war and insisting that the strike was conducted lawfully and within the admirals authority. Despite these statements, accusations that he was avoiding responsibility persisted.

Michigan Representative Shri Thanedar announced plans to file articles of impeachment against Hegseth, following reports of another strike in the Pacific by U.S. Southern Command that left four dead, raising the campaign's death toll to at least 86.

Senator Paul has consistently criticized the administrations actions in Central America and questioned Hegseths contradictory statements regarding the strikes. Paul highlighted the discrepancy between Hegseth's earlier denials and subsequent confirmations, suggesting either deception or incompetence.

Paul has a history of opposing U.S. drone operations, famously filibustering for 13 hours in 2013 against John Brennans CIA nomination due to concerns over domestic drone use. However, two years later, he defended President Obama over an accidental drone strike that killed two hostages, calling for measured, non-partisan judgment in such cases.

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• Rand Paul demands Pete Hegseth testify ‘under oath’ after latest boat strike