US Defense Secretary Under Fire for Ordering "Kill Them All" Strike
In a shocking revelation, the Washington Post has exposed a bombshell order given by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a September 2 maritime strike off the coast of Trinidad. The incident has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the administration's handling of counter-drug operations.
According to officials with direct knowledge of the mission, US special operations forces targeted a small vessel suspected of transporting narcotics. Following the first missile strike that destroyed the boat and killed most of the crew, observers reported seeing at least two survivors clinging to debris. Hegseth allegedly directed forces to launch a second strike to eliminate the remaining survivors, which experts describe as potentially unlawful under long-standing rules of armed conflict.
The strike was not part of any declared war, leaving many wondering how the administration has justified such lethal operations. A Justice Department memo reportedly classifies drug trafficking networks as part of a "non-international armed conflict," effectively granting the executive branch sweeping authority to kill suspected traffickers on the high seas. Critics argue that this interpretation is legally flimsy and dangerously broad.
Human rights groups and former military lawyers warn that the decision could set a precedent for unchecked lethal force far beyond US borders. "If this stands, the US is claiming the right to kill anyone, anywhere, based on secret intelligence and no transparency," one legal expert told the Post.
Hegseth has responded to the allegations, calling them "fabricated" and framing the operations as lawful efforts to stop narco-terrorists and destroy drug-trafficking vessels. He emphasized his support for the Southcom forces carrying out the missions.
The incident has left many families of the dead without answers, while members of Congress are now calling for hearings to address the concerns raised by this unprecedented escalation in US counter-drug operations. The White House is facing mounting questions about its handling of national security, and the fallout from Hegseth's alleged order is expected to continue for some time.
In a shocking revelation, the Washington Post has exposed a bombshell order given by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a September 2 maritime strike off the coast of Trinidad. The incident has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the administration's handling of counter-drug operations.
According to officials with direct knowledge of the mission, US special operations forces targeted a small vessel suspected of transporting narcotics. Following the first missile strike that destroyed the boat and killed most of the crew, observers reported seeing at least two survivors clinging to debris. Hegseth allegedly directed forces to launch a second strike to eliminate the remaining survivors, which experts describe as potentially unlawful under long-standing rules of armed conflict.
The strike was not part of any declared war, leaving many wondering how the administration has justified such lethal operations. A Justice Department memo reportedly classifies drug trafficking networks as part of a "non-international armed conflict," effectively granting the executive branch sweeping authority to kill suspected traffickers on the high seas. Critics argue that this interpretation is legally flimsy and dangerously broad.
Human rights groups and former military lawyers warn that the decision could set a precedent for unchecked lethal force far beyond US borders. "If this stands, the US is claiming the right to kill anyone, anywhere, based on secret intelligence and no transparency," one legal expert told the Post.
Hegseth has responded to the allegations, calling them "fabricated" and framing the operations as lawful efforts to stop narco-terrorists and destroy drug-trafficking vessels. He emphasized his support for the Southcom forces carrying out the missions.
The incident has left many families of the dead without answers, while members of Congress are now calling for hearings to address the concerns raised by this unprecedented escalation in US counter-drug operations. The White House is facing mounting questions about its handling of national security, and the fallout from Hegseth's alleged order is expected to continue for some time.
I mean, what's up with these drone strikes? Like, can't they just negotiate or something? This "kill them all" s**t is wild. 
I remember when Trump was President, there were so many complaints about torture and stuff, but it looks like the next gen of politicians are just taking it to a whole new level. What's wrong with due process, right? 
I'm not saying they're definitely in the wrong here, but come on, this is some Grey's Anatomy-level "morally ambiguous" stuff right here... or something 
. I don't buy it for a second.
.
. I mean, who gives an order like "kill them all"? It's just crazy. I can understand the fight against narco-trafficking, but killing innocent people on the high seas? That's not right. We're always talking about human rights and dignity, but when it comes to US operations, it seems like no one's really holding anyone accountable 
. I hope Congress gets to the bottom of this and gives those families some answers 
But at the same time, like, what's up with this "kill them all" order? Can't we just try to apprehend people or something instead of resorting to lethal force? 
I mean, it's not like they're going around killing innocent civilians willy-nilly... or are they? 
Ugh, my brain hurts 
is giving me major red flags 
. It's like they're trying to justify murder on the high seas 
. We need more transparency and accountability in our government, not less 
. We gotta hold our leaders accountable for their actions 
.
But this is like, a whole new level of secretive and potentially unlawful 
. And let's be real, Congress needs to step in here ASAP 
because we can't just sit back and watch our government make decisions without being held accountable 
.