US defense secretary defends admiral who ordered follow-up strike on alleged drug boat in Caribbean
'Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support,' Pete Hegseth says
WASHINGTON
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday backed Admiral Mitch Bradley, the commander of the US Special Operations Command, saying he supported his decision to approve a follow-up strike in September on a vessel from Venezuela allegedly carrying illegal narcotics.
"Let’s make one thing crystal clear: Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support. I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made — on the September 2 mission and all others since," Hegseth said on the US social media company X’s platform.
"America is fortunate to have such men protecting us," he said, adding when his department signals support for its troops, "we mean it."
Hegseth’s remarks came as he is under intensifying scrutiny following a Washington Post report that said he ordered a follow-up strike on a suspected drug vessel operating in the Caribbean on Sept. 2 after an initial attack did not kill everyone on board, with two people surviving the strike.
Democrats warned that the order could constitute a war crime and President Donald Trump distanced himself, saying he would not have authorized a follow-up strike.
Trump on Sunday dismissed the report, defending Hegseth.
"Pete said that didn't happen. I have great confidence (in him)…Pete said he did not order the death of those two men," he said.
Earlier Monday, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that Hegseth "authorized" Admiral Bradley to conduct the strikes.
"Secretary Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes. Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated," Leavitt said.
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday urged Hegseth to release tapes "that would show exactly what happened during these military strikes."
"He should release those tapes. He says The Washington Post account is 'not correct.' So why not release the tapes and prove it?" Schumer said.
