Lawmakers Demand Review of Trump’s Controversial Military Orders

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is calling for congressional reviews of military strikes against vessels believed to be involved in drug smuggling in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. This response follows a report from the *Washington Post* alleging that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order for all crew members to be killed during a military operation on September 2, 2023.

The claims have raised serious legal concerns among lawmakers. Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, stated, “This rises to the level of a war crime if it’s true.” In a similar vein, Representative Mike Turner, a Republican from Ohio, expressed the need for further information, particularly regarding follow-up strikes targeting individuals who were no longer in combat. He emphasized that any such actions would be considered illegal under international law.

Turner noted that investigations by the Armed Services Committees in both the House and Senate are underway. He remarked, “Obviously, if that occurred, that would be very serious and I agree that that would be an illegal act.” While some lawmakers expressed skepticism about the *Washington Post* report, they acknowledged the gravity of the allegations surrounding the military operation.

The discussion about these military actions comes as the Trump administration intensifies its campaign against drug trafficking into the United States. On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that the airspace over Venezuela should be deemed “closed in its entirety.” This statement drew criticism from Venezuelan leaders, with President Nicolás Maduro accusing Trump of making a “colonial threat” that undermines Venezuela’s sovereignty.

In response to the allegations, Hegseth took to social media, describing the report as “fake news” intended to discredit U.S. military efforts. He asserted, “Our current operations in the Caribbean are lawful under both U.S. and international law, with all actions in compliance with the law of armed conflict.”

In a joint statement released on Friday, Roger Wicker, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and ranking Democrat Jack Reed from Rhode Island, announced their commitment to conducting “vigorous oversight” to uncover the facts surrounding the military operations. This commitment was echoed by the House Armed Services Committee, led by Chairman Mike Rogers and ranking member Adam Smith, who stated their determination to ensure rigorous oversight of the Department of Defense’s military actions in the region.

Concerns regarding the September 2 attack have prompted calls for thorough investigations. Representative Don Bacon from Nebraska urged that Hegseth should be given an opportunity to present his side of the story. “I don’t think he would be foolish enough to make this decision to say, kill everybody, kill the survivors because that’s a clear violation of the law of war,” Bacon stated, reflecting skepticism about the allegations made against Hegseth.

Lawmakers’ comments were made during appearances on major news programs, including CBS’ “Face the Nation” and ABC’s “This Week.” The developments signal a growing bipartisan concern regarding the legal implications of military actions taken under the Trump administration. As investigations proceed, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and compliance with both U.S. and international law in military operations.