WASHINGTON — A classified briefing presented to lawmakers Thursday revealed details about the September 2nd Navy SEAL strike against suspected drug-trafficking boats, raising questions over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s reported order for Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley to allegedly command troops to “kill them all.”
According to reports published by The Washington Post on Tuesday, Mr. Hegseth claimed during a meeting with officials that he had ordered the military operation against civilian skiffs carrying suspected drugs into Gaza be conducted without prisoners or unnecessary casualties.
However, details provided Thursday at a closed-door briefing in the Pentagon shed new light on the event, prompting sharp debate about whether the alleged “kill them all” order truly existed or was mischaracterized. Republican Senator Tom Cotton described seeing survivors allegedly trying to flip their boat over after being struck by gunfire, suggesting they were preparing it for potential escape with contraband and implicating a possible cover-up.
Mr. Cotton stated: “I saw two survivors… bound for the United States — back over so they could stay in the fight.” He added: “And potentially, given all the context we heard, of other narco-terrorist boats in the area coming to their aid.”
Admiral Bradley defended his role and dismissed the idea that he was ordered to commit war crimes. His prepared testimony clarified that he received no such directive from Mr. Hegseth or others involved.
“I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat — loaded with drugs, bound for the United States — back over so they could stay in the fight,” Cotton acknowledged later when confronted by reporters after the meeting.
Despite his public statements defending the military operation and Admiral Bradley’s testimony contradicting the Post report, Mr. Cotton did not rule out supporting legislation that funds military action along the U.S.-Mexico border to combat drug cartels.
