US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is facing mounting pressure over a double-tap strike in the Caribbean that killed two survivors of an initial boat strike, with some accusing him of ordering the follow-up attack "to kill everybody."
The Pentagon has been involved in 21 attacks since September, resulting in the deaths of at least 83 civilians. The military's actions have raised serious concerns about the legality of the strikes, which are being described as a form of extrajudicial killings.
According to sources close to the government, Hegseth may be liable for war crimes or murder for ordering the follow-up attack, which was allegedly carried out under his personal order. Military law experts and lawmakers say that the strike's legality is "a clear case of patently illegal" behavior by subordinates who may not have been able to successfully use a following-orders defense.
Critics argue that Hegseth's actions are in direct contravention of international laws governing the conduct of war, including the principles of distinction and proportionality. The Pentagon's own Law of War Manual clearly states that attacking people who are unable to fight is a breach of human dignity and dishonorable conduct.
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern over Hegseth's actions, with some labeling them as "war crimes" or "murder." Even the Trump administration has acknowledged that the strikes are not defensible under international law, but has argued that the U.S. is engaged in a "non-international armed conflict" and therefore exempt from certain laws governing the conduct of war.
The Former JAGs Working Group, an organization of former military lawyers, has condemned Hegseth's actions as "war crimes, murder, or both," arguing that they would not have occurred without the systematic dismantling of the military's legal guardrails.
As the investigation into Hegseth's role in the strikes continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how far up the chain of command he will be held accountable.
The Pentagon has been involved in 21 attacks since September, resulting in the deaths of at least 83 civilians. The military's actions have raised serious concerns about the legality of the strikes, which are being described as a form of extrajudicial killings.
According to sources close to the government, Hegseth may be liable for war crimes or murder for ordering the follow-up attack, which was allegedly carried out under his personal order. Military law experts and lawmakers say that the strike's legality is "a clear case of patently illegal" behavior by subordinates who may not have been able to successfully use a following-orders defense.
Critics argue that Hegseth's actions are in direct contravention of international laws governing the conduct of war, including the principles of distinction and proportionality. The Pentagon's own Law of War Manual clearly states that attacking people who are unable to fight is a breach of human dignity and dishonorable conduct.
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern over Hegseth's actions, with some labeling them as "war crimes" or "murder." Even the Trump administration has acknowledged that the strikes are not defensible under international law, but has argued that the U.S. is engaged in a "non-international armed conflict" and therefore exempt from certain laws governing the conduct of war.
The Former JAGs Working Group, an organization of former military lawyers, has condemned Hegseth's actions as "war crimes, murder, or both," arguing that they would not have occurred without the systematic dismantling of the military's legal guardrails.
As the investigation into Hegseth's role in the strikes continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how far up the chain of command he will be held accountable.
! Double tap strike? Are you kiddin' me?! It's like they're tryna set a new standard for brutal 
. I mean, two survivors of an initial boat strike get whacked and then another wave comes in to finish 'em off? That's just not right 
. And 83 civvies dead already? It's like they're countin' bodies instead of tryna save lives 
. Pentagon's Law of War Manual says nothin' about this kinda nonsense 
. We need some serious oversight on these military brasses 
. Can't let 'em just carry out whatever they feel like, no matter who gets hurt 
. This whole thing stinks 
.
. I mean, a double-tap strike? That's just crazy talk! What's next? A triple-tap? 
Nah, but seriously, this whole thing reeks of cover-up. I know the Pentagon's got its excuses ready - "non-international armed conflict" and all that jazz 
). You can't just order people to die without a second thought! That's not how we're supposed to play this game of global chess 
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. We need more transparency and answers about what really happened in those strikes. The fact that the Trump administration is trying to spin it as a "non-international armed conflict" just adds fuel to the fire 
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just saw this news about Pete Hegseth and I'm shook. Can't believe our so-called leaders think they can just send drones to kill civilians without any real consequences 
. We need some real accountability here, not just empty words from politicians 
. The fact that the Pentagon's own manual says attacking unarmed people is a breach of human dignity and dishonorable conduct 
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Pete Hegseth is a bloody nightmare! Can't believe what's goin' down in that Pentagon office 
21 attacks and like 80+ civilians dead...that's some straight-up savage stuff 
. Newsflash Pete, just 'cause you're the SecDef don't mean you can just order people killed left and right 
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But at the same time, I get why people are all up in arms about this. It sounds super sketchy that he's being accused of war crimes & murder... like, what even is that? 
. I don't think we should just let politicians get away with saying "it's a war zone" or "we need to protect ourselves" 
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. We need to make sure that everyone who gives orders is held responsible for the consequences of those actions 
.