A Washington Post report alleging that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered U.S. forces to “kill everybody” aboard a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean has triggered intense scrutiny in Washington, raising questions about the legal basis of the Trump administration’s counter-cartel campaign and the limits of military force in peacetime operations.
The alleged directive, reportedly issued during a Sept. 2 operation that targeted a Venezuelan vessel in international waters, has prompted bipartisan calls for oversight from both chambers of Congress. President Trump, meanwhile, has defended Hegseth while distancing himself from the reported follow-on strike that killed the boat’s last two survivors.
Washington Post report sparks alarm
According to The Washington Post, U.S. surveillance tracked a boat believed to be carrying drugs and cartel members. Intelligence officials grew confident that the 11 people aboard were transporting narcotics. The Post reported that Hegseth “gave a spoken directive,” citing two individuals with direct knowledge of the operation, and that “the order was to kill everybody.”
After a missile struck the vessel off the coast of Trinidad, commanders watched the boat burn via livestream. When the smoke cleared, the report said two survivors were seen “clinging to the smoldering wreck.” The Special Operations commander then allegedly ordered a second strike “to comply with Hegseth’s instructions.” According to the Post, the survivors were “blown apart in the water.”
Hegseth later called the story “fake news,” but did not address the specific phrase attributed to him. He insisted the strikes are lawful, saying: “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.”
Congress demands answers
The report quickly drew the attention of lawmakers responsible for overseeing the military. Leaders of the House Armed Services Committee — Chair Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and ranking member Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) — issued a joint statement saying, “This committee is committed to providing rigorous oversight of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) military operations in the Caribbean.” They added that they are “taking bipartisan action to gather a full accounting of the operation in question.”
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) similarly pledged scrutiny, saying the committee “has directed inquiries to the Department, and we will be conducting vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to the circumstances.”
Other lawmakers raised deeper concerns about legality. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said, “We’re going to have an investigation… We’re going to find out what happened. And then, there needs to be accountability.”
Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) emphasized that Congress has not yet verified the Post’s account, stating that lawmakers “do not have information that that had occurred.” But he added, “Obviously, if that occurred, that would be very serious, and I agree that that would be an illegal act.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) went further, saying, “I think it’s very possible there was a war crime committed,” referring to the alleged second strike. He questioned the legality of the first strike as well: “If that theory is wrong, then it’s plain murder.” He added, “Even if you accept their theory, then it is a war crime.”
Trump defends Hegseth, distances himself from second strike
President Trump on Sunday expressed strong confidence in Hegseth and said he believes the defense secretary’s denial. “He said he did not say that, and I believe him, 100 percent,” Trump said when asked about the alleged “kill everybody” order.
But Trump also suggested he would not have supported a second strike. “No. 1, I don’t know that that happened,” he said. “And Pete said he did not want them — he didn’t even know what people were talking about.” He added, “I wouldn’t have wanted that, not a second strike.”
Trump said he is seeking more information: “I’m going to find out about it. But Pete said he did not order the death of those two men.”
Legal and policy questions loom
The episode has renewed debate over the administration’s claim that the U.S. is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels — a framing that would permit military force under the laws of war. The administration has not publicly presented evidence showing an imminent threat to Americans, and several lawmakers argue that even under wartime rules, killing survivors who no longer pose a threat could violate international law.
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