Hey fam, big news! 😬 This Monday, the White House confirmed that Admiral Frank Bradley—acting under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s authority—ordered a “double-tap” strike this year on survivors of an alleged drug smuggling boat in international waters. The follow-up attack targeted people who may have already been wounded in an initial hit back in early September 2025.
The Trump administration insists the operation was legal, labeling those on the boat “narco-terrorists” and saying the mission “eliminated” a threat to U.S. security. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed Bradley acted “well within his authority and the law.”
But lawmakers from both sides are raising eyebrows. Senator Chris Murphy accused Hegseth of “passing the buck,” while Senators Jacky Rosen and Chris Van Hollen warned the move could amount to a war crime. Former astronaut Senator Mark Kelly has called for a full congressional probe into whether targeting survivors crossed the line set by the Pentagon’s own Law of War Manual, which says firing on shipwrecked people would be illegal.
Even GOP Rep. Mike Turner said members haven’t been fully briefed on the so-called “double-tap” and voiced concern about transparency. Meanwhile, Pentagon officials counter that reports of unlawful orders were false and point to subsequent search-and-rescue efforts after other strikes.
As pressure mounts, the White House and Pentagon stand by the mission’s legality. But with growing calls for investigation and fresh questions about use-of-force rules, this story is far from over. Stay tuned for updates! 💡
Reference(s):
White House confirms admiral ordered 2nd strike on alleged drug boat
cgtn.com
