Hegseth backs special ops chief's 'combat decisions' in deadly Caribbean strike ahead of classified briefing
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said he stands by the "combat decisions" of a military commander involved in a deadly Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug vessel in the...
By Fox News · Fox News
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said he stands by the "combat decisions" of a military commander involved in a deadly Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean as lawmakers are gearing up for a classified briefing on the matter later this week. Hegseth’s comment comes after The Washington Post reported Friday that he verbally ordered everyone onboard the alleged drug boat to be killed in the Sept. 2 operation. The Post reported that a second strike was conducted to take out the remaining survivors on the boat. The White House said Monday that Hegseth authorized the second strike, but the head of U.S. Special Operations Command, Adm. Frank Bradley, ordered and directed it. At the time of the strike, Bradley was serving as the commander of Joint Special Operations Command, which falls under U.S. Special Operations Command. "Let’s make one thing crystal clear: Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support. I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made — on the September 2 mission and all others since," Hegseth wrote on X on Monday night. TRUMP SAYS HE BELIEVES HEGSETH '100%' ON VENEZUELAN DRUG BOAT STRIKE DENIAL AMID ALLEGATIONS "America is fortunate to have such men protecting us. When this Department of War says we have the back of our warriors — we mean it," he added. Bradley is set to provide a classified briefing Thursday to lawmakers overseeing the military, according to The Associated Press. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that the Sept. 2 strike was conducted "in self-defense" in international waters "in accordance with the law of armed conflict." "On September 2nd, Secretary Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes," Leavitt said. "Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated." LAWMAKERS SKEPTICAL OF A…