Trump Defends Hegseth Amid Drug Smuggling Controversy
US President Donald Trump has taken a stand in defense of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, asserting that he did not authorize a second strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean. This statement comes in the wake of serious allegations that a follow-up attack was ordered to eliminate survivors of an initial strike. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasized, “He said he did not say that, and I believe him 100%.”
The controversy began after a Washington Post report claimed that Hegseth instructed military forces to carry out a second deadly strike on the vessel, aiming to kill everyone on board. According to this report, the alleged second strike occurred on September 2, targeting the damaged hull of the boat to eliminate two individuals who survived the first attack.
Trump expressed his intention to investigate the matter further but reiterated his belief in Hegseth's innocence, stating, “Pete said he did not order the death of those two men.” When asked if a follow-up strike would be lawful, Trump replied, “No, I wouldn’t have wanted that, not a second strike. The first strike was very lethal.”
The Pentagon's actions have come under scrutiny, as experts argue that the naval operations may not have been conducted under proper legal authority. This has raised alarms among US allies, as the administration claims these vessels are valid targets due to their alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
Trump defended the military's actions, stating, “You can see the boats. You can see the drugs in the boats, and each boat is responsible for killing 25,000 Americans. So I think they do an amazing job.” However, the situation has drawn criticism even from Republican lawmakers, with some labeling the alleged second strike as an illegal act.
Ohio Representative Mike Turner voiced his concerns on CBS, stating that if the actions are verified, it would be “an illegal act.” Similarly, Nebraska’s Don Bacon called the strike a “clear violation of the law of war.” In response to the report, Senator Roger Wicker, who heads the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced that the committee would investigate the strikes further.
This incident has sparked significant debate and concern not just within the US but also in the global arena as it raises questions about the legality and ethics of military operations targeting suspected drug traffickers.
