The Post reported Friday that Hegseth issued an order to "kill everybody" before the first strike against an alleged drug traf boat on Sept. 2. The first strike did not immediately kill all 11 people, whom the administration has called "narco-terrorists," aboard the vessel, prompting the Special Operations commander overseeing the operation to order another strike to comply with Hegseth's directive.
The White House confirmed on Monday that Hegseth authorized the second attack and defended the legality of the ongoing strikes, which have killed at least 83 people.
"With respect to the strikes in question on Sept. 2, Secretary Hegseth authorized Adm. Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes," Leavitt told reporters, referring to Adm. Frank M. "Mitch" Bradley, the commander overseeing the operation from Fort Bragg, N.C.
"Adm. Bradley worked well within his authority and the law to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated," Leavitt said.
Hegseth backed up Bradley on Monday evening, proclaiming the U.S. is "fortunate to have such men protecting us."
"Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional and has my 100 percent support," Hegseth wrote on social media. "I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made — on the September 2 mission and all others since."
On Sunday, Trump expressed confidence in Hegseth, although he noted that he would not have ordered a second strike.
"But no, I wouldn't have wanted that, not a second strike," the president told reporters aboard Air Force One. "The first strike was very lethal, it was fine, and if there were two people around. But Pete said that didn't happen. I have great confidence in him."
The new details regarding the Sept. 2 strikes, which the Trump administration said killed members of Tren de Aragua, a transnational gang from Venezuela that the U.S. has designated a foreign terrorist organization, prompted bipartisan uproar over the weekend.
Several Democrats and at least one Republican, Rep. Mike Turner (Ohio), a former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said the strike was a possible crime. The Republican chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services committees said they are looking to conduct oversight of the strike.
Read the full report at thehill.com.
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