Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

John1956PA

(4,651 posts)
18. Here are five ridiculous excuses which Trump and Hegseth have offered.
Mon Dec 1, 2025, 03:28 PM
17 hrs ago

Five statements issued by Hegseth, the Department of War or Trump regarding the September 2, 2025, strike on the two survivors clinging to boat wreckage following the first strike:

1. "The first strike was intended to be lethal and kinetic." (Hegseth)
2. "I did not give the order kill everyone " (Hegseth).
3. "The second strike was to assure the survivors could not call on their confederates to rescue them and to retrieve their cargo, which would have promoted drug trafficking and which would have constituted a navigation hazard." (Department of War)
4. "Fake news!' (Hegseth)
5. "The survivors were killed in self-defense." (White House)

Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Self defense against a fishing boat? Were they throwing harpoons? Ocelot II 18 hrs ago #1
Plus, they have not said what happened against the US from that target mysteryowl 18 hrs ago #2
Self defense against 2 people hanging on to a burning boat for dear life..got it. Deuxcents 18 hrs ago #3
exactly! That 2nd missile mysteryowl 18 hrs ago #5
2 individuals are clinging to the wreckage of a boat that was just blown apart by MarineCombatEngineer 18 hrs ago #4
This admin's credibility, even if only a sliver of it was left, is bankrupt. Heads should roll from the top down Deuxcents 18 hrs ago #6
This is starting to blow up spectacularly against Pedonald and Kegsbreath, MarineCombatEngineer 18 hrs ago #7
Two guys bobbing in the water, hanging onto debris were an active threat, needing obliteration? Norrrm 18 hrs ago #8
If Hegseth did not give the second strike order, who did? Norrrm 17 hrs ago #12
Supposedly Admiral Frank M."Mitch" Bradley, MarineCombatEngineer 17 hrs ago #14
Aye! Let's see who Trump/Hegseth throw under the bus. Norrrm 17 hrs ago #16
So people hanging from debris Progressive dog 18 hrs ago #9
Good grief, they have dug as deep as they can and that is what they come up with? Biophilic 18 hrs ago #10
Actually, I think that those two survivors were killed so that Hegseth and his criminal cohorts could Jrose 17 hrs ago #11
The self-defense must be there was no defense if they people were picked up alive and were fishermen. Vinca 17 hrs ago #13
What twaddle. Disaffected 17 hrs ago #15
Since when was flotsam considered a weapon? Baitball Blogger 17 hrs ago #17
Here are five ridiculous excuses which Trump and Hegseth have offered. John1956PA 17 hrs ago #18
Self defense against guys clinging to wreckage in shark-infested waters??? Ritabert 17 hrs ago #19
Keep yapping. Everything you say will be brought at your Hague trial. TheBlackAdder 17 hrs ago #20
Up is down, In is out. Zackzzzz 14 hrs ago #21
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»White House says second s...»Reply #18