Secretary of War Pete Hegseth pushed back against scrutiny surrounding a secondary strike on a suspected drug boat this week, claiming the “fog of war” prevented commanders from seeing survivors in the water before the attack was launched.
Speaking during a Tuesday cabinet meeting with President Trump, Hegseth defended the operation despite growing questions about the use of force.
While the administration maintains the strike—ordered by Navy Vice Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley—was entirely lawful, the incident has triggered immediate friction in Washington.
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Legal experts have warned that targeting survivors would constitute a crime, prompting lawmakers to launch formal reviews into how the military engages vessels suspected of smuggling.
Bradley is scheduled to address those concerns directly during a classified briefing with congressional overseers on Thursday.
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