More Details Surface About Boat Strikes
Navy Adm. Frank Bradley — the commander in charge of the Sept. 2 U.S. military strike against a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean — strongly denied that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ever issued an order to “kill everybody.” Bradley delivered this clarification directly to lawmakers during high-level briefings on Capitol Hill, cutting through sensational claims pushed by certain media outlets.
The accusation surfaced after The Washington Post published a report suggesting Hegseth had verbally directed U.S. forces to kill all individuals aboard the vessel. The Sept. 2 mission targeted armed narco-terrorists operating in international waters, resulting in 11 enemy fatalities. Both Hegseth and the White House quickly rejected the claim as false.
Lawmakers: No Rogue Command, No “Kill Them All” Directive
According to members of both parties who attended the classified briefing, Bradley’s testimony made it clear: No unlawful or unethical order was ever issued.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters that Bradley received standard written orders — the same type of detailed, lawful authorizations the U.S. military uses in every major operation.
“Admiral Bradley was unequivocal. There was no order to ‘give no quarter’ or ‘kill them all,’” Cotton said. “The orders were written, detailed, and fully compliant with U.S. military procedures.”
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, confirmed the same account, underscoring that Bradley directly contradicted the media narrative.
Democrats Still Pushing for Release of Military Video
Despite Bradley’s testimony, Himes said he was “deeply troubled” after reviewing the video of the Sept. 2 Caribbean strike. He claimed two individuals appeared to be in distress during a later phase of the operation.
Democrats are now pressuring the Trump administration to release the full video, along with every written order from the Pentagon.
President Trump has signaled openness to releasing the footage — a move that could bring transparency and debunk lingering speculation.
Legal Experts Debate — Republicans Push Back
Some left-leaning legal commentators have attempted to argue that subsequent strikes on survivors could constitute wrongdoing. Sen. Cotton dismissed these claims, noting that all four strikes were lawful and necessary for national security.
“The first strike, the second strike, and the third and the fourth strike on September 2 were entirely lawful,” Cotton said. “They were exactly what we expect our military commanders to do.”
Why This Story Matters for National Security
This operation highlights several key issues important to Americans age 50+:
- The ongoing threat of narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere
- The importance of clear military protocols
- Media outlets pushing unverified claims
- The Trump administration responding transparently to public concerns
The Sept. 2 mission, along with the political firestorm around it, underscores the ongoing battle between U.S. national security interests and partisan attempts to shape the narrative.
