Trump and Hegseth claim ignorance of follow-up strike that killed survivors on suspected drug boat

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday emphasized that they were not involved in the decision to carry out a follow-up strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean. Both stressed they were unaware of the militarys actions after the initial strike failed to eliminate all personnel on board.

During a Cabinet meeting, Trump told reporters he had not been consulted prior to the second strike and remained only partially briefed on the incident even months later. I didnt know about the second strike. I didnt know anything about the people, he stated. I wasnt involved, and I knew they took out a boat, but they had a strike.

Trump noted he relied on Hegseth to keep him informed, with the defense secretary expressing satisfaction regarding the September operation. Hegseth, however, clarified he had no direct role in targeting survivors, delegating operational decisions to Adm. Frank M. Mitch Bradley and leaving before it became apparent that some individuals had survived.

I watched that first strike live, Hegseth said. I didnt stay for the follow-up where all the sensitive site exploitation occurred, so I moved on to my next meeting. He learned of the second strike only hours later.

Both officials defended Bradleys conduct as lawful, with Hegseth affirming the administration would support him. President Trump has empowered commanders to act decisively, even in difficult circumstances, Hegseth explained.

Despite these assurances, scrutiny from lawmakers has intensified over the legality of the second strike, with some suggesting it could constitute a war crime. Trump has previously expressed that he wouldnt have wanted that, not a second strike.

Hegseths account also raised questions regarding his earlier comments immediately following the strike, in which he claimed to know exactly who was on the boat and their intentions.

Sen. Roger Wicker, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, promised thorough oversight after reports indicated that survivors had been killed in the follow-up strike. The committee has requested full audio and video of the operation for its investigation.

Democrats have long criticized the administrations Caribbean operations as excessive, questioning the threat posed by suspected drug vessels. The second strike prompted bipartisan calls for accountability, with some lawmakers alleging the administration has not been transparent. Sen. Jack Reed voiced concern over withheld footage, suggesting a possible cover-up.

Trump defended the overall Caribbean operations as necessary to combat drug trafficking, despite limited knowledge of the September incident. He also indicated potential strikes on targets inside Venezuela, signaling a major expansion beyond international waters. Were going to start doing those strikes on land too, he said, noting it would make targeting traffickers easier, and did not rule out future operations in other nations contributing to drug flow into the US.

Hegseth, who initially dismissed reports of a follow-up strike as false, criticized media coverage of the decision-making as irresponsible but reiterated he was not directly responsible. I did not personally see survivors, because the vessel was engulfed in fire and smoke, he said, describing it as the fog of war.

Author: Sophia Brooks