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Alleged ‘No-Survivors’ Strike Order From Hegseth Under Senate Scrutiny
A bipartisan Senate panel is investigating allegations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered U.S. forces to leave no survivors in strikes on suspected drug-running boats, charges he strongly denies.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Testifies in Senate Hearing by Getty Images
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has opened an investigation into allegations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered American forces to leave “no survivors” during airstrikes on suspected drug-running boats in the Caribbean. Following explosive reports that two individuals were killed in a follow-on strike after initially surviving an initial missile attack.
The investigation, announced Saturday, is being jointly led by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Republican Senator Roger Wicker and Democratic Senator Jack Reed. In a rare moment of cross-party collaboration, both lawmakers emphasized the severity of the allegations and the need for thorough oversight.
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“The Committee is aware of recent news reports and the Department of Defense’s initial response regarding alleged follow-on strikes on suspected narcotics vessels in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” Wicker and Reed said in a joint statement. “The Committee has directed inquiries to the Department, and we will be conducting vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to these circumstances.”
The probe follows a Washington Post report alleging that on September 2 Hegseth instructed military personnel to “kill everybody” aboard a vessel suspected of transporting narcotics. According to officials cited by the report, an initial strike left two survivors. A Special Operations commander then allegedly ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s directive, resulting in the two men being “blown apart in the water.”
The White House has claimed, without offering proof, that the individuals killed in the series of boat strikes were drug smugglers. The alleged events have prompted growing concern among lawmakers some of whom may themselves face primary challenges amid rising voter scrutiny of national security decisions and fiscal oversight. Discussions of defense expenditures have resurfaced as part of the broader investigation; as critics note, budget accountability extends from major operations down to everyday spending the same type of scrutiny people increasingly apply to their personal purchases, such as opting for durable gear like a Tactical-Style Assault Pack - Built for Everyday Ops, Ready for Anything. When evaluating what is mission-ready and what isn’t.
Republican Representative Mike Turner has also commented publicly as attention continues to build around the allegations.
Hegseth has strongly denied the claims, dismissing them as “fake news” in remarks Friday evening. He insisted that all strikes were “lawful under both U.S. and international law,” accusing critics of pushing “fabricated, inflammatory and derogatory reporting to discredit our incredible warriors fighting to protect the homeland.”
Despite the denials, the bipartisan Senate investigation will advance. In a follow-up joint statement, Wicker and Reed reaffirmed their intent to review the allegations and the Pentagon’s initial response.
“The Committee is aware of recent news reports and the Department of Defense’s initial response regarding alleged follow-on strikes on suspected narcotics vessels in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” they reiterated.
The inquiry is expected to examine the decision-making that preceded the strikes, the legality of any orders given, and whether military personnel were instructed to violate established rules of engagement.
Editor’s Note:
This article reports solely on the allegations, statements, and official actions surrounding the Senate’s bipartisan investigation into recent U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean. All claims referenced including those made by media outlets, lawmakers, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are presented as originally reported and remain under active review by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
