US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has invoked the concept of the "fog of war" to defend a controversial follow-up military strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean Sea. The incident, which occurred in early September, is now facing intense scrutiny from lawmakers who have announced a congressional review.
The White House Defence
During a cabinet meeting at the White House on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, Secretary Hegseth addressed the growing controversy. He stated that when the order for the second strike was given, he did not see evidence of survivors in the water. "The thing was on fire," Hegseth explained, using the chaotic nature of combat—the "fog of war"—as justification for the decision.
Hegseth further clarified his involvement, noting he "didn't stick around" for the remainder of the mission after the initial attack. He expressed full confidence in the commanding officer, stating that Navy Vice Admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley had "made the right call" and acted within his complete authority when ordering the secondary strike.
Mounting Scrutiny and Official Responses
The operation came under the spotlight following a report by The Washington Post, which alleged that Hegseth issued a verbal order for the second strike that resulted in the deaths of survivors from the initial attack. In response to these allegations, the White House stated on Monday that Vice Admiral Bradley acted "within his authority and the law."
President Donald Trump, when questioned about his support for the September strike, distanced himself from the operational details. He claimed he "didn't know anything" about the specific incident and "still haven't gotten a lot of information because I rely on Pete."
Congressional Review Launched
The fallout from the incident has prompted direct action from US legislators. Lawmakers have now announced formal congressional reviews into the military's strikes against vessels suspected of drug smuggling. As part of this process, Vice Admiral Bradley is scheduled to provide a classified briefing to the relevant congressional oversight committees on Thursday.
This review signifies a significant step in holding the operation to account, as questions persist about the rules of engagement and the decision-making process during the volatile Caribbean mission earlier this year.
