Admiral Testifies Hegseth Did Not Issue ‘Kill Them All’ Command, Say US Legislators

A high-ranking US Navy admiral has stated that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not authorize the order to ‘kill them all’ during a contentious military operation targeting a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean, according to multiple legislators.

This assertion from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers follows their review of footage from the dual-strike incident that occurred on September 2 and their discussions with Admiral Frank Bradley in private hearings.

The briefing, attended by members of the House of Representatives and later the Senate, took place amid ongoing concerns about the legality of military action against suspected drug trafficking boats.

The White House has clarified that Admiral Bradley was in charge of the strikes and that his actions were conducted within legal boundaries.

On Thursday evening, the US military announced via X that it had conducted another strike, resulting in the deaths of four individuals in the eastern Pacific Ocean, directed by Hegseth.

In response to the admiral’s testimony, Jim Himes, the senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, expressed his respect for Admiral Bradley, stating, ‘He should command respect from all of us.’ He further remarked, ‘What I witnessed in that room was among the most alarming experiences of my public service career.’

Himes acknowledged that while the individuals involved were engaged in drug trafficking, they were no longer capable of continuing their operations.

Following the briefing, Representative Adam Smith, the leading Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, issued a joint statement with Himes, advocating for the public release of the video footage. ‘The briefing left us with more questions than answers, and Congress must persist in investigating this issue and overseeing it,’ they stated.

Senator Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, voiced support for Admiral Bradley and Hegseth, asserting, ‘They acted exactly as we would expect them to.’

Cotton recounted witnessing two survivors attempting to right a drug-laden boat that was destined for the United States.

Republican Representative Rick Crawford also defended the strikes, expressing confidence in their professional execution.

Democratic Senator Jack Reed shared his dismay at the events, pledging that his party would further scrutinize the incident.

The fact that two strikes occurred, with survivors from the first strike, has prompted renewed inquiries regarding the legality of the administration’s aggressive campaign against these vessels, particularly concerning the rules of engagement regarding injured combatants.

President Donald Trump has stated he sees no issue with making the video of the second strike public. Footage of the initial strike has already been released.

Reports indicate that two survivors from the first strike attempted to return to their vessel before it was targeted again, with sources suggesting they were trying to recover drugs.

Admiral Bradley was anticipated to inform top US lawmakers that the survivors constituted a valid target since their boat was believed to still harbor drugs, according to an official.

The September 2 incident marked the beginning of a series of ongoing US offensive actions against vessels, resulting in over 80 fatalities in both the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

Although US officials maintain that the actions on September 2 were lawful, a complete understanding of the events from that day is still unfolding.

Recent reports suggested that two individuals survived the first strike and that Hegseth allegedly ordered a second strike to eliminate them.

At that time, Hegseth promptly denounced the reports as ‘fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory,’ while a Pentagon spokesperson asserted that the ‘entire narrative was false.’

Subsequent confirmation of a second strike came from the White House, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating this week that the order originated from Admiral Bradley, who acted ‘well within his authority and the law.’

On Tuesday, Hegseth mentioned he had observed the first strike unfold before attending other meetings. He noted he did not personally witness any survivors, attributing it to the flaming wreck and the ‘fog of war.’

Later that day, he recounted being informed that Admiral Bradley opted to ‘sink the boat and neutralize the threat,’ a decision he deemed justified.

This issue has sparked concern from lawmakers across the political spectrum, many of whom have previously criticized the military operation as a whole.

In addition to the lethal assaults on suspected drug trafficking vessels, the US has bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean.

The Venezuelan government has condemned these strikes repeatedly, accusing the White House of escalating tensions in the region with the intention of destabilizing its government.

Trump has claimed that these actions have significantly curtailed drug trafficking via maritime routes, although he has not provided substantiating evidence.

Moreover, there has been no public disclosure confirming that the targeted individuals were indeed drug traffickers.

Experts have raised serious concerns regarding the legality of the second strike on the survivors on September 2 under international law.

A former chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court has previously indicated that US airstrikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels could be classified under international law as crimes against humanity.

‘These individuals are criminals, not soldiers. Criminals are civilians,’ he stated.

The survivors might have been entitled to protections afforded to shipwrecked sailors or to combatants who have been rendered unable to continue fighting.

The Trump administration has characterized its operations in the Caribbean as a non-international armed conflict against alleged drug traffickers.

In such armed conflicts, the rules of engagement established by the Geneva Conventions prohibit targeting injured participants, stipulating that they should be apprehended and provided care.

As of now, Admiral Bradley has not publicly commented on the situation.

Among the many individuals who have died in the ongoing US operations, Alejandro Carranza, a Colombian national, is believed to be one of the victims, having last been seen on September 14.

Carranza’s family has since filed a complaint with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Washington.