Republican lawmakers in the United States are demanding answers and pledging a full investigation into controversial military strikes in the Caribbean that targeted a suspected Venezuelan drug trafficking vessel, resulting in the deaths of what senators called "defenseless" survivors.
Senators Voice Grave Concerns Over "Defenseless" Targets
Members of the U.S. Senate have expressed serious alarm following reports of the incident. Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa and a military veteran, emphasized the need for rigorous oversight. "The accusations are really serious, so we need to make sure we have proper oversight. We need full accountability and transparency," she stated in an interview.
Her colleague, Senator Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), was more blunt in his criticism, drawing a stark comparison. "It's defenseless people," he noted. "You get in combat, somebody surrenders, and as they're surrendering, you just don't put a firing squad up there and just shoot them. I mean, don't do that."
Details of the Controversial Airstrikes Emerge
The controversy stems from a pair of airstrikes carried out on September 2. According to a report by The Washington Post, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to "kill everybody" on board an alleged drug boat carrying 11 people. This vessel was the first target in the Trump administration's expanding military campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean.
A second strike followed, which reportedly killed two survivors who were clinging to the burning wreckage of the boat. This subsequent action has been labeled a possible war crime by some Democrats and military experts.
In response to the growing scrutiny, Secretary Hegseth offered his account at a White House meeting. He stated that he watched the initial strike on a live video feed but did not stay for the entire event. He attributed the decision for the follow-up action to U.S. Navy Admiral Frank Bradley, who he said made the call to "sink the boat and eliminate the threat."
"I did not personally see survivors. The thing was on fire…This is called the fog of war," Hegseth said.
Shifting Narratives and a Formal Senate Probe
The explanations from Hegseth and the White House have evolved since the story broke. After the Post's initial report, Hegseth flatly denied it, calling the narrative "completely false." He later acknowledged the strikes occurred but shifted responsibility to Admiral Bradley. The White House confirmed the second strike on Monday.
This inconsistency has fueled demands for a congressional investigation. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) suggested Hegseth should testify under oath, noting there are "real questions" about the secretary's knowledge. "He's saying it didn't happen, and now on Monday, [the White House is] saying it happened," Paul told reporters.
The Senate Armed Services Committee, led by Chairman Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and ranking member Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), is now leading a formal probe into the boat strikes. Republican committee members indicated they plan to interview those involved, likely in a classified setting.
Senator Justice reiterated the necessity of the investigation, calling the second strike on defenseless targets "unacceptable" and adding, "If he didn't authorize this... we need to know that. We need to know what's what."
When asked about his confidence in Secretary Hegseth, Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), also a member of the Armed Services Committee, offered cautious support for the moment. "Right now" he did have confidence, "But we're looking at more data," he added, underscoring the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
