Senator Reads DOD Law of War Manual On CNN To Demonstrate Trump Administration's Alleged 'War Crime'

Senator Angus King (I-ME) appeared on CNN with the Department of Defenses Law of War Manual to clarify why a military action resulted in the killing of shipwreck survivors, which may have violated international law. On September 2, the U.S. Navy targeted a vessel that the Trump administration claimed was carrying drugs and narcoterrorists.

According to a recent report by The Washington Post, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the killing of all individuals on the boat. After the first strike, two survivors remained clinging to the wreckage. Following Hegseths directive, Admiral Frank Bradley authorized a second strike, killing the remaining survivors. Hegseth initially dismissed the report as fake news, but later confirmed the second strike occurred, asserting it was Bradleys decision. He also claimed he did not personally observe the strikes, contradicting his earlier Fox News statement from September 3, where he said he watched it live.

During CNNs The Source, King brought the DOD Law of War Manual to explain why the actions were illegal. This manual is in three volumes, and the third volume directly addresses this situation, he said. He emphasized the need to understand what Hegseth communicated to the admiral and his awareness of the operation. Two people survived the initial strike and were clinging to the wreckage, King said. Special forces then killed them. That is a violation of the law, a war crime.

King read from Section 18.3.2.1 of the manual: Clearly Illegal Orders to Commit Law of War Violations. The section explains that subordinates must refuse orders that are obviously illegal, such as firing on shipwrecked survivors. It couldnt be clearer than that, King stated.

The senator added that this situation exemplifies the type of illegal orders highlighted by several Democratic lawmakers in a video, which drew criticism from Republicans. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders, the lawmakers said. President Donald Trump responded by calling for their prosecution and suggesting execution, leading to an increase in death threats against the lawmakers.

Author: Sophia Brooks