Hegseth Speaks Out About Admiral Who Allegedly Ordered Se...

By Gabe Whisnant

Breaking News Editor

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended Navy Admiral Mitch Bradley on Monday, calling him “an American hero” amid reports that Bradley ordered the follow-up boat strike during a recent military operation in the Caribbean Sea.

Hegseth said he fully supports the admiral’s combat decisions, including those made during the September 2 mission, and emphasized that the Pentagon stands behind its commanders.

He added that the nation is “fortunate” to have leaders like Bradley and that the department will continue backing U.S. service members in the field.

Why It Matters

The White House on Monday also defended the actions of the Navy admiral who ordered a second strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean, saying the officer acted “within his authority and the law” during a September 2 operation now under bipartisan scrutiny.

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What To Know

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the incident Monday as lawmakers from both parties signaled support for a congressional review of U.S. maritime counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, following reports that survivors of the initial strike were killed in a follow-up attack. The Washington Post last week reported that Hegseth had given a verbal order for the second strike, a claim that Hegseth has denied.

Leavitt did not dispute that the two survivors were present after the initial strike but said the operation was authorized through proper channels. She said Hegseth empowered Bradley, then head of Joint Special Operations Command, to take action to ensure the vessel was destroyed and any remaining threat was neutralized. Her remarks came a day after President Donald Trump said he “wouldn’t have wanted” a second strike but added that he believes Hegseth’s denial. The press secretary said Hegseth had spoken with members of Congress who raised concerns over the weekend.

Senior Pentagon officials also moved to reassure lawmakers.

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held calls with the leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, reiterating his confidence in U.S. commanders and emphasizing that the missions were designed to disrupt drug-trafficking networks that threaten security in the Western Hemisphere. Congress’ top defense lawmakers said they would conduct oversight and gather facts before drawing conclusions. Senate Majority Leader John Thune defended the broader anti-smuggling operations, saying they are critical to curbing narcotics shipments into the United States.

The Post report prompted a sharp response from Hegseth, who accused the media of spreading falsehoods and said all U.S. actions were lawful and vetted by military and civilian lawyers. His comments drew immediate pushback from Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called Hegseth a “national embarrassment” and urged committee chairs to demand unredacted video footage of the strike.

Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the panel would begin by seeking briefings from officials directly involved and echoed calls for the administration to release the video if it has nothing to hide. Sen. Roger Wicker, the committee’s Republican chair, said his panel would conduct its inquiry “by the numbers” and determine the “ground truth.”

The September 2 strike was one of dozens carried out in recent months as the United States has surged naval forces to the region, including deploying its largest aircraft carrier. More than 80 people have been killed in the boat strikes, which U.S. officials describe as legitimate actions against vessels they say are used by drug cartels. Venezuela’s National Assembly announced Sunday that it will investigate the deaths, marking the first time a senior Maduro-aligned official publicly acknowledged that Venezuelans were among those killed.

Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez said lawmakers will examine “the serious events that led to the murder of Venezuelans in the waters of the Caribbean Sea,” setting up a parallel inquiry to the ones now forming in Washington.

Trump confirmed he recently spoke by phone with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro but declined to offer details. Speaking later in Caracas, Maduro said the United States has subjected Venezuela to “psychological terrorism” for more than 20 weeks but insisted the country remained prepared to defend itself.

What People Are Saying

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said that whoever ordered the second strike on survivors of the Pentagon's boat attack, "if substantiated" needs "to get the hell out of Washington."

Tillis, the senator for North Carolina, added that "we still need to get to the bottom" of the incident but it would amount to “a violation of an ethical, moral or legal code" if true.

Hegseth wrote on X Monday night, 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. America is fortunate to have such men protecting us. When this @DeptofWar says we have the back of our warriors — we mean it."

Leavitt said Monday, “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.”

What Happens Next

The controversy comes as Trump escalates pressure on Venezuela and weighs additional military options. The president met Monday with his national security team to review ongoing interdiction missions and potential next steps targeting Venezuelan networks the administration says are tied to drug-trafficking groups.

Updates: 12/1/25, 7:40 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.

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