“Let's be crystal clear: Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional and he has my 100 percent support. I support him and the combat decisions he made – regarding the September 2 mission and all subsequent missions,” Hegseth wrote on Platform X on Monday.
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Who gave the order to fire on the boat again?
What were the consequences of firing on the boat?
Who confirmed the media reports about the attack?
What reactions did the case cause among politicians?
The minister posted the entry after the White House confirmed media reports on Monday that US forces killed two people who survived the attack on a boat that allegedly belonged to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which the US considers a terrorist organization. According to the Washington Post, Adm. Bradley ordered a second attack, because in this way he carried out Hegseth's previously given verbal order to “kill them all”.
The case initially aroused controversy
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Hegseth authorized Bradley to strike “narco-terrorists.” “Admiral Bradley acted within his authority under the law. He led the effort to ensure the destruction of the boat and the complete elimination of the narco-terrorist threat to the United States, she said.
Pete Hegseth initially suggested that media reports about the case were false. These publications provoked great controversy and accusations that the army had committed murder or a war crime. Several Republican politicians in Congress condemned this type of action, and the leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee, headed by Republican Roger Wicker, announced the initiation of an investigation into the matter. President Trump on Sunday said he would be against shooting again a previously destroyed boat with people on board.
