UPDATE: Alarming allegations have surfaced regarding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who reportedly issued a shocking verbal order to “kill everyone” during a Naval strike on September 2 against a suspected drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean Sea. This claim comes amidst rising scrutiny of military engagement protocols, particularly following Hegseth’s own earlier remarks condemning “stupid rules of engagement.”
During a speech to over 800 U.S. flag officers at Quantico, Virginia, Hegseth criticized military fitness standards and diversity initiatives while asserting, “We fight to win. We also don’t fight with stupid rules of engagement.” His incendiary comments encapsulate a push for more aggressive military tactics, claiming that warfighters should operate without constraints that he deems politically correct.
Legal experts, including former military lawyer Todd Huntley, have warned that Hegseth’s alleged order could constitute a war crime, as it reflects a directive to show no quarter. Such a command raises serious concerns about compliance with both U.S. federal law and international law concerning armed conflict.
Reports from the Washington Post indicate that Vice Admiral Frank Bradley, overseeing the strike, executed Hegseth’s directive to eliminate two survivors from the initial attack, justifying it under the premise that they remained threats capable of alerting other traffickers. However, Huntley argues that without a legitimate war context, the actions taken against these individuals could be classified as murder.
The Pentagon estimates the military strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 80 people, igniting bipartisan outrage among lawmakers. Questions surrounding the legality of these operations have escalated, prompting calls for accountability and transparency. The Trump administration has defended the strikes by claiming they fall under a “non-international armed conflict” with designated terrorist organizations, citing a controversial opinion from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel to justify military actions.
Since the September 2 incident, the U.S. military has conducted at least 22 additional strikes on suspected drug smuggling vessels, compounding concerns regarding the escalation of military engagement in the region.
As public outcry mounts and investigations begin, all eyes are on the Pentagon and Congress to address these grave allegations. The implications of Hegseth’s comments and the military’s actions are profound and could reshape U.S. engagement protocols moving forward. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
