Controversy Mounts Over Alleged Second Strike Order by Defense Secretary Hegseth; President Trump Initiates Investigation
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny over an alleged order for a second lethal strike on a drug boat, killing survivors. President Trump, initially supportive, now investigates the incident.
Overview
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is accused of ordering military officials to "kill everybody" on a suspected drug boat, leading to a second lethal strike that killed survivors.
- A Special Operations commander confirmed ordering a second strike on the reported drug boat, complying with Hegseth's directive, which resulted in the deaths of survivors.
- Hegseth has vehemently denied these allegations, denouncing the reporting as "fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory" and dismissing critical reports as "fake news."
- President Trump initially supported Hegseth's denial, but now states he would not have backed such an action and is investigating the alleged U.S. second strike.
- US lawmakers and the Senate are investigating the incident, alongside broader operations where over 80 alleged drug smugglers died in 22 military attacks.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally by presenting a balanced account of the allegations against Defense Secretary Hegseth and the administration's lethal strikes. They meticulously include denials from Trump and Hegseth, bipartisan congressional calls for oversight, international legal perspectives, and the Venezuelan government's reactions, avoiding loaded language or editorial bias.
"The developments come as the U.S. has carried out close to two dozen boat strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean since the first strike on Sept. 2."
CBS News"The legality of the ongoing strikes is in dispute."
USA TODAY"The comments follow the Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee's announcement on Friday that they planned to conduct "vigorous oversight" on the strikes."
BBC News"Critics of the Trump administration and some legal experts have questioned the legality of the strikes."
ABC News"The report comes amid a U.S. military buildup near Venezuela, which Trump has argued is necessary to combat gangs, such as Tren de Aragua, and others like Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel."
USA TODAYArticles (14)
Center (5)
FAQ
Pete Hegseth allegedly gave a verbal order to SEAL Team Six to leave no survivors on a suspected drug boat, resulting in a second lethal strike that killed survivors of the initial attack.
Hegseth has vehemently denied the allegations, calling the reports 'fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory' and dismissing critical coverage as 'fake news'.
President Trump initially supported Hegseth's denial but later stated he would not have backed such a lethal action and announced an investigation into the alleged second strike.
US lawmakers and the Senate are investigating the incident involving the second strike, as well as broader military operations in which over 80 alleged drug smugglers died in 22 attacks.
Following the strike, protocols were reportedly changed to ensure the rescue of survivors, according to intelligence analysts and anonymous sources.
History
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