From CBS News: Scrutiny over the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats has intensified following the revelation that the first U.S. attack on such a vessel involved at least two strikes, according to a Washington Post report. It said that after a first strike left two survivors, a subsequent strike killed them. A U.S. official confirms a total of four missiles were used.
The Post also reported that Hegseth gave a verbal order to “kill everybody” in the Sept. 2 strike in the Caribbean Sea, though Hegseth has not confirmed this. He told reporters Tuesday that he did not see survivors in the live video he viewed and was not in the room when Navy Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, the commander overseeing the operation, ordered a second strike. Bradley, according to the report, was complying with Hegseth’s directive as two survivors clung to the wreckage.
Two people who survived the strike on an alleged drug-carrying vessel were attempting to climb back onto the boat before it was hit a second time, a source familiar with the matter told CBS News. The source said the survivors allegedly tried to salvage some of the drugs and appeared to be in communication with others at the time, and also alleged there were other boats in the vicinity that could have picked them up. ABC News was first to report these details.
President Trump and Hegseth addressed the allegations swirling around the strikes on the boat during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Hegseth has explained that after the first strike, the main reason for the second strike was to make sure the drug boat was destroyed, and officials did not see any survivors in the video at the time.
.@POTUS: “I want those boats taken out, and if we have to, we’ll attack on land also…we’re saving hundreds of thousands of lives with those pinpoint attacks.”@SecWar: “Admiral Bradley made the correct decision to ultimately sink the boat and eliminate the threat…we have his… pic.twitter.com/sQypqxfqFP
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 2, 2025
.@SecWar: “This is called the fog of war. This is what you in the press don’t understand. You sit in you air conditioned offices or up on Capitol hill, and you nit-pick and you plant fake stories…and then you want to throw out really irresponsible terms about American heroes.” pic.twitter.com/TNAUjTd4ag
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 2, 2025
ABC News reported Wednesday night that new information has revealed the two survivors had climbed BACK INTO THE BOAT and were potentially communicating with others in an effort to save the drugs.
Because of that, ABC’s Martha Raddatz said the boat was still determined to be in the fight and was still a valid target.
Exactly as I predicted: New reporting suggests that in full consultation with JAG officers, the boat was determined to still be a legitimate military target after the initial strike. The (bipartisan!) “war crime” hysteria is just another Russiagate Hoax. https://t.co/2DwJRU45fZ
— Batya Ungar-Sargon (@bungarsargon) December 4, 2025
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Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) wrote Thursday morning, “Obama authorized over 500 strikes and the PRESS said nothing. Meanwhile, an admiral with a strike package and intel report protects AMERICANS from narco terrorists and all of a sudden people decide to virtue signal? The mental gymnastics of politics by those who lack critical thinking skills is truly impressive. I will 100% continue to back the men that stand up and protect this country against those that are trying to murder our citizens. Well done @SecWar @PeteHegseth. We thank you for protecting Americans.”
Obama authorized over 500 strikes and the PRESS said nothing. Meanwhile, an admiral with a strike package and intel report protects AMERICANS from narco terrorists and all of a sudden people decide to virtue signal? The mental gymnastics of politics by those who lack critical…
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) December 4, 2025
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) wrote, “Barack Obama killed hundreds of innocent civilians in drone attacks. Not a word from libs on “war crimes.” Meanwhile, over 70% of Americans support @POTUS and @SecWar blowing up narco-terrorists who’ve poisoned our friends, family members, and neighbors before they reach our shores. These drug trafficking killers murdered more Americans last year than the U.S. lost in the entire Vietnam War. They don’t give a rip about American lives. I’m all for sending these killers to the bottom of the ocean.”
Barack Obama killed hundreds of innocent civilians in drone attacks.
Not a word from libs on “war crimes.”
Meanwhile, over 70% of Americans support @POTUS and @SecWar blowing up narco-terrorists who’ve poisoned our friends, family members, and neighbors before they reach our…
— Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) December 3, 2025
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