On a Monday in early December, the White House acknowledged that a September strike on an alleged drug boat had involved more than one attack, a detail that lends weight to a Washington Post account of a follow-on strike aimed at survivors in the water. The question of who gave the order now sits at the center of the matter, with the press secretary placing responsibility on an admiral's judgment while the defense secretary dismisses the reporting as false. Across the long human history of disputed force at sea, such moments tend to turn less on the initial act than on what the record can late
White House Confirms Second Strike on Alleged Drug Boat, Denies Hegseth Ordered It
Two men who survived the initial September 2 strike were reportedly killed in a follow-on strike, according to the Washington Post, which CBS has not independently confirmed.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the commander of a September…
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White House confirms second strike on alleged drug boat, but denies Hegseth gave the order.
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the commander of a September operation "worked well within his authority and the law" when ordering a follow-on strike.
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- The White House has confirmed a second strike on a September 2 drug-boat attack, reversing an earlier silence on the operation's details.
- Press secretary Karoline Leavitt insists the commanding admiral acted within his authority and the law, while Defense Secretary Hegseth calls the Washington Post report fabricated.
- Lawmakers from both parties are demanding investigation, and Senator Wicker expects audio and video to be produced.
- The central question has become whether the follow-on strike, reportedly against two survivors, meets the standards of a war crime.
- CBS has not independently confirmed the Post's reporting, so the facts remain contested as oversight efforts begin.
On a Monday in early December, the White House acknowledged that a September strike on an alleged drug boat had involved more than one attack, a detail that lends weight to a Washington Post account of a follow-on strike aimed at survivors in the water. The question of who gave the order now sits at the center of the matter, with the press secretary placing responsibility on an admiral's judgment while the defense secretary dismisses the reporting as false. Across the long human history of disputed force at sea, such moments tend to turn less on the initial act than on what the record can later prove, and this one awaits evidence that CBS has not yet been able to verify.
The White House on Monday confirmed that a U.S. attack on an alleged drug boat in September included more than one strike on the vessel. The disclosure appears to back a Washington Post report that a second strike was aimed at the boat after it had been hit, targeting two men who had survived the first attack and were in the water.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the commander of the operation, Adm. Bradley, "worked well within his authority and the law" in ordering the follow-on strike. She denied that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had given the order. Hegseth has called the Post's account fabricated. CBS has not independently confirmed the reporting, and the identities and fate of the men remain unverified.
Lawmakers from both parties have promised investigations. Senator Roger Wicker, who leads the Armed Services Committee, expects audio and video from the operation. The question now pressing on Washington is whether the strike, if it happened as reported, meets the standards of a war crime.
A story is developing around White House confirms second strike on alleged drug boat, but denies Hegseth gave the order. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the commander of a September operation "worked well within his authority and the law" when ordering a follow-on strike.
Washington — The White House on Monday said a U.S. attack on an alleged drug boat in September included more than one strike on the vessel, seemingly confirming a Washington Post report that the U.S. targeted the boat for a second time to…
This account is still unfolding. More context will surface as other outlets pick up the thread and add their own reporting.
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