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

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(131,643 posts)
6. Lawmakers spoke privately to Trump's top general after boat strike revelations
Mon Dec 1, 2025, 04:59 PM
Monday

By Noah Robertson

The Pentagon’s top general held a call with senior lawmakers over the weekend to discuss the legality of lethal military strikes around Latin America, as Republican-led panels in both chambers vowed aggressive oversight following revelations that U.S. forces killed the survivors of a targeted boat strike.


The call, announced Monday by the office of Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, occurred after The Washington Post reported Friday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a spoken order to kill the entire crew of a vessel thought to be ferrying narcotics in the Caribbean Sea, the first of more than 20 such strikes directed by the Trump administration since early September.

When two survivors were detected, the military commander overseeing the operation, Adm. Frank M. Bradley, directed another strike to comply with Hegseth’s order that no one be left alive, people with direct knowledge of the matter told The Post. The Trump administration has said 11 people were killed as a result of the attack.

Caine’s call with the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services committees included a conversation about the Latin America mission’s “intent and legality,” Caine’s office said in its brief account of the exchange. The general also expressed his “trust and confidence in the experienced commanders at every echelon,” the readout says. The statement does not identify Bradley or any other military officials by name.

https://wapo.st/4oyWISF

Recommendations

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

I guess "kinetic strike" is a nicer way of saying murder. groundloop Monday #1
What did dubya call it when we struck first? slightlv Monday #11
Preemptive War Diraven Monday #12
"White House says" bucolic_frolic Monday #2
Whoa.............. Lovie777 Monday #3
I see they are trying to throw him under the bus. drray23 Monday #4
I think you're referring to Admiral Holsey COL Mustard Monday #17
You are absolutely correct. drray23 Tuesday #20
"It's his fault! He did what we ordered him to do! Blame him (but credit us)!" Torchlight Monday #5
They lie to protect their dear murderer. Justice matters. Tuesday #34
Lawmakers spoke privately to Trump's top general after boat strike revelations Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Monday #6
Does "no one left alive" sound like .....witnesses? Dixiegrrrl Tuesday #23
Because the boats are not trafficking drugs and they are covering up their murders. travelingthrulife Tuesday #24
I hope you GD generals are paying close attention. Irish_Dem Monday #7
This is exactly why it is in the best interests of the service members to refuse illegal orders. Midnight Writer Monday #8
Trump eventually throws EVERYONE under the bus. Irish_Dem Monday #9
Exactly Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Tuesday #25
Sure. Totally lawful! Aussie105 Monday #10
All I know is, one guy holds the golden ticket, his immunity card. Buddyzbuddy Monday #13
The US is not a signatory to the ICC. tblue37 Tuesday #26
Thank you, I'm aware of that. Buddyzbuddy Tuesday #33
This sinking, disabled vehicle with dazed and wounded survivors was a "threat to the United States?" Prairie Gates Monday #14
That's not going to play well in the officer class or the rank and file. paleotn Monday #15
We will see. kacekwl Tuesday #29
Uhh.. Firing on shipwrecked people is the textbook definition of a war crime.. Litterally 18.3.1.1 LiberalArkie Monday #16
Lies and more lies, upon yet more lies. Where's the damn evidence??????? Ford_Prefect Monday #18
Maybe they were in the boat. tblue37 Tuesday #27
Admiral Bradley going under The Chump Bus duckworth969 Monday #19
Hesgeth should be arrested and put on trial for murder Akakoji Tuesday #21
Since it is NEVER legal, BidenRocks Tuesday #22
Ok assholes, show up kacekwl Tuesday #28
We didn't do it, but if we did it's legal. CanonRay Tuesday #30
And that guy over there will be pardoned thought crime Tuesday #32
No, it's not lawful to kill defenseless combatants or civilians Mysterian Tuesday #31
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»White House says admiral ...»Reply #6