Admiral Frank 'Mitch' Bradley, head of US Special Operations Command, told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on Thursday that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not order the second missile strike that killed survivors on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean. The briefing included footage of the 2 September operation, which has raised concerns about potential war crimes.
Democratic Representative Jim Himes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, described the footage as 'one of the most troubling things I’ve seen in my time in public service'. He said two individuals in 'clear distress' with a destroyed vessel were killed by the United States. The first strike killed nine people and set the boat ablaze, with survivors visible on the live feed an hour later.
Republican Representative Rick Crawford, chairman of the committee, emerged confident in Hegseth, stating he had no further questions for the defence secretary. Hegseth has denied ordering the second strike and called Bradley an 'American hero', backing his decision to 'ultimately sink the boat and eliminate the threat'.
Bradley reportedly ordered the second strike after considering that other 'enemy' vessels were close by and believed the survivors were communicating with other drug smugglers via radio. Hegseth, who was watching the operation via live feed, said he had 'moved on' to his next meeting before the second strike and did not see survivors.
Senators have requested more details about Hegseth's whereabouts during the critical moment. Independent Senator Angus King of Maine said he wanted to see Hegseth's calendar for that day, while Republican Senator Thom Tillis added that those responsible for the second strike should be held accountable.
