Hegseth Ordered Controversial Strike on Survivors of Attack

A recent investigation by the Washington Post has revealed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered U.S. forces to “kill them all” during a maritime strike on September 2, 2025, off the coast of Trinidad. This action marks a significant escalation in the United States’ counter-drug operations, raising serious legal concerns among experts regarding potential violations of international law.

According to officials familiar with the operation, U.S. special operations forces targeted a small vessel believed to be involved in transporting narcotics. Following an initial missile strike that destroyed the boat and resulted in the deaths of most of the crew, observers reported seeing at least two survivors clinging to debris. Hegseth is said to have directed a second strike to eliminate these survivors, a move that legal experts argue contravenes established rules of armed conflict. These rules prohibit the targeting of combatants who are “hors de combat,” or out of the fight.

The strike was conducted outside the parameters of any declared war, prompting questions about the legal justification for such lethal actions. A memo from the Justice Department reportedly classifies drug trafficking networks as part of a “non-international armed conflict.” This classification, according to critics, grants the executive branch excessive authority to carry out strikes against suspected traffickers on the high seas, a legal interpretation that many regard as tenuous and overly expansive.

Human rights organizations and former military lawyers have voiced alarm over the implications of this decision. It risks establishing a precedent for unchecked lethal force beyond U.S. borders. One legal expert commented, “If this stands, the U.S. is claiming the right to kill anyone, anywhere, based on secret intelligence and no transparency.”

On November 28, 2025, Hegseth responded to the allegations through his official social media account, denouncing the reports as “fabricated.” He characterized the operations as lawful efforts against narco-terrorists and asserted that all actions taken were reviewed by both military and civilian lawyers. Hegseth expressed his support for the forces operating under Southcom and emphasized the importance of their mission.

As the fallout continues, members of Congress have begun calling for hearings to address the operation. However, it remains uncertain whether the Republican-controlled committees will scrutinize one of the administration’s most aggressive national-security tactics to date. The revelations leave the White House facing increasing scrutiny while families of the deceased seek answers regarding the strikes.

The United Nations human rights chief has condemned the strikes, labeling them “unacceptable” and highlighting the urgent need for accountability. As the situation unfolds, the implications of Hegseth’s alleged orders resonate far beyond the immediate context of drug trafficking, raising critical questions about the rules governing military engagement and the protection of human rights in conflict situations.