In a significant display of cross-party unity, senior US senators from both major political parties have announced a formal investigation into disturbing allegations against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth concerning lethal airstrikes on suspected drug vessels.
Bipartisan Investigation Announced
Republican Senator Roger Wicker, who chairs the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, and Democratic Senator Jack Reed revealed the probe in a rare joint statement issued on Saturday 29 November 2025. The investigation will examine claims that Secretary Hegseth instructed military personnel to ensure there were no survivors during operations against alleged drug-running boats in the Caribbean.
The senators stated: "The Committee is aware of recent news reports and the Department of Defense's initial response regarding alleged follow-on strikes on suspected narcotics vessels in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility." They confirmed that the committee has directed inquiries to the Department and pledged to conduct "vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to these circumstances."
Allegations of Excessive Force
The investigation follows an explosive report from The Washington Post detailing a specific incident on September 2 where Secretary Hegseth allegedly ordered military personnel to "kill everybody" on board a vessel suspected of carrying drugs. According to the publication, which cited officials with direct knowledge of the operation, an initial missile strike left two survivors in the water.
In a deeply concerning development, a Special Operations commander overseeing the attack then allegedly ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth's instructions. The two surviving men were reportedly "blown apart in the water" according to the Post's sources.
Growing Scrutiny of Military Operations
The September 2 attack marked the beginning of a broader campaign that has seen more than a dozen attacks on alleged drug-running boats over the past three months. These operations have resulted in more than 80 fatalities, drawing intense scrutiny from international investigators and members of Congress.
Legal experts and politicians have raised serious questions about the operations' legality, with some suggesting the Trump administration's aggressive campaign could amount to extrajudicial killings. Other specialists consulted by The Independent have gone further, describing the actions as potential murder and war crimes.
In response to the allegations, Secretary Hegseth took to social media on Friday to denounce The Washington Post's reporting as "more fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting" designed to discredit the administration's work. He maintained that all operations were lawful and specifically intended as "lethal, kinetic strikes" against narco-terrorists affiliated with designated terrorist organizations.
The Independent has contacted the Department of War for comment regarding the Senate investigation, which represents the most significant congressional response to the allegations to date.
