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The Washington Post’s bombshell report that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth allegedly told commanders to “kill everybody” after a September 2 strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat has set off a predictable media feeding frenzy. According to the accounts published, a second strike reportedly killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage, and the Post says the order came as part of an aggressive campaign against the Tren de Aragua gang.
Let’s be clear: Hegseth is a decorated veteran who has spent his life fighting for this country, and he immediately denounced the report as fake news while the White House signaled an investigation. President Trump publicly defended him and administration spokespeople have pushed back, saying operational decisions were lawful and vetted by military and civilian lawyers.
But the law is not a political football. Independent legal experts told reporters that deliberately killing survivors is unlawful and could amount to a war crime or murder if the facts are as reported, especially because the United States has not formally acknowledged a traditional armed conflict with drug cartels. Those warnings matter and cannot be wished away by partisan outrage.
Still, patriotic Americans should demand the full facts before surrendering to the worst-case narrative spoon-fed by opponents of a strong national defense. The Post notes that the administration has not released unedited footage and that explanations to Congress have been incomplete, which is why transparency matters now more than ever. If the Pentagon has exculpatory evidence, it should show it immediately so the public can stop guessing.
This episode also exposes how quickly military operations become political cudgels. Congress on both sides is asking questions and calls for oversight are appropriate, but so is defending commanders when allegations are unproven. Republicans must walk a tightrope: uphold the rule of law and insist on accountability where warranted, while refusing to let the next impeachment-style spectacle be used to kneecap those defending our borders and stopping poison from flowing into American communities.
The bottom line for hardworking Americans is simple: we want tough action against the drug cartels that are wrecking lives, but we also want adherence to the law and to American values. If wrongdoing occurred, hold people accountable. If this is another politically motivated smear, do not let our defenders be sacrificed on the altar of media hysteria. The nation deserves answers, not reflexive condemnation or partisan coverups.
