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Pete Hegseth and the U.S. military are facing intense scrutiny after new details emerged about a controversial Sept. 2 airstrike in the Caribbean Sea that killed 11 people aboard a suspected drug-smuggling vessel. According to briefings given to members of Congress, all 11 individuals were on an internal U.S. military list of Narco-terrorists.

They were all eligible for lethal targeting under rules established by the Trump administration’s expanded campaign against drug trafficking organizations.

The revelation adds a significant new layer to an already contentious operation that has sparked legal, ethical, and political debate over the use of military force against alleged drug smugglers. 

Pete Hegseth defends US strikes on alleged drug boats

Orders from Pete Hegseth and the Target List

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered the military to kill everyone on the boat because all 11 individuals had been pre-identified by U.S. intelligence as legitimate military targets, according to two U.S. officials and one person familiar with classified congressional briefings.

Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and the officer overseeing the operation, told lawmakers that intelligence officials had confirmed the identities of everyone on board before the strike.

“All of them were validated as legitimate targets,” Bradley reportedly told members of Congress during closed-door briefings.

The internal list referenced in the briefings includes individuals designated as eligible for lethal action if an opportunity arises. Officials say the vessel was allegedly carrying cocaine and linked to a cartel that had been formally designated by the president as a terrorist organization.

A Second Strike on Narco-terrorists

The operation became especially controversial after reports surfaced that the military launched a second strike following the initial airstrike, which reportedly left two survivors in the water.

Lawmakers have questioned whether that follow-up strike violated international law, particularly rules governing distinction and proportionality in armed conflict. Whether Pete Hegseth explicitly directed Adm. Bradley to ensure that no one survived has been a central issue in the ongoing controversy.

Hegseth, addressing the matter during a Cabinet meeting, defended the military leadership.

“This is called the fog of war,” Hegseth said, explaining that although he watched the first strike live, he later moved on to other meetings.

“Adm. Bradley made the correct decision,” he added, emphasizing, “We have his back.”