Admiral Bradley Approved 2nd Strike, Not Hegseth

“Adm. Bradley worked well within his authority in the law,” she said. “He directed the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat of narco-terrorists to the United States was completely eliminated.”

In response to a question about there being a second strike, Trump told reporters on Sunday night, “I wouldn’t have wanted that. Not a second strike. The first strike was very lethal. It was fine.”

The Republican chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees released joint statements, along with their respective Democratic ranking members, calling for additional information from the Pentagon in light of the new reporting.

“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,” Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and ranking member Jack Reed (D-RI) said. “The Committee has directed inquiries to the Department, and we will be conducting vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to these circumstances.”

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), who is also on the Armed Services Committee, said Sunday that “it’s a clear violation of the DOD’s own laws of war, as well as international laws about the way you treat people who are in that circumstance.”

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) and ranking member Adam Smith (D-WA) similarly released a joint statement days ago saying the committee is “committed to providing rigorous oversight of the Department of Defense’s military operations in the Caribbean,” adding, “We take seriously the reports of follow-on strikes on boats alleged to be ferrying narcotics in the SOUTHCOM region and are taking bipartisan action to gather a full accounting of the operation in question.”

“As usual, the fake news is delivering more fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting to discredit our incredible warriors fighting to protect the homeland,” he said. “As we’ve said from the beginning, and in every statement, these highly effective strikes are specifically intended to be ‘lethal, kinetic strikes.’ The declared intent is to stop lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats, and kill the narco-terrorists who are poisoning the American people. Every trafficker we kill is affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization.”

He maintained that the targeting of suspected drug vessels is “lawful under both U.S. and international law,” though some experts have disputed the claims. The secretary also posted a mock cover of a children’s book featuring Franklin the Turtle in which the beloved character was aboard a helicopter, firing a missile at a boat with the title, “Franklin targets narco terrorists.”