❓WHAT HAPPENED: A military strike on September 2 targeted a drug-running vessel in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the deaths of 11 people.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Admiral Frank Bradley, and U.S. Special Operations Command.
📍WHEN & WHERE: September 2, 2025, in the Caribbean Sea.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Pete said he did not order the death of those two men. And I believe him.” – Donald Trump
🎯IMPACT: Investigations by lawmakers on Capitol Hill are underway to determine whether the strike violated laws of war.
Democrat lawmaker allegations that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth authorized a so-called “double tap strike” against a Venezuelan cartel drug boat on September 2 appear to have no basis in fact. New evidence suggests that while Hegseth did authorize the drug boat strike, his orders did not specify any actions against potential survivors—despite claims made by Democrats on Capitol Hill based on reporting by The Washington Post.
The new evidence shows that Admiral Frank Bradley, the head of U.S. Special Operations Command, approved both the initial strike and follow-up actions. It appears the secondary strikes were targeting large pieces of wreckage and were not intended to eliminate survivors.
Allegations that the Secretary of War had given the order to “kill everybody” following the initial strike were first reported by The Washington Post last Friday. President Donald J. Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, dismissed the report, stating, “He said he did not say that, and I believe him 100 percent. I wouldn’t have wanted that, not a second strike.” Now, five U.S. officials have confirmed to The New York Times that Hegseth did not order such a strike.
On Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made it clear that presidentially designated narcoterrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting in accordance with the laws of war. With respect to the strikes in question on September 2, Secretary Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes.” She added that Bradley acted within his authority and the law to ensure the vessel was destroyed.
Hegseth has backed Bradley, writing on social media, “Let’s make one thing crystal clear: Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100 percent support. I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made—on the September 2 mission and all others since.”
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.