UPDATE: Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) has issued a stark warning, declaring that whoever authorized a strike on survivors of a recent Pentagon operation must “get the hell out of Washington.” This urgent statement comes as scrutiny intensifies over a controversial military action that reportedly resulted in the deaths of two survivors from an earlier attack.
On October 7, 2025, Tillis emphasized the need for accountability, stating that if the second strike is confirmed, it would represent a grave violation of ethical, moral, or legal standards. He told reporters, “We still need to get to the bottom of this incident.” The Associated Press has reported these explosive comments as lawmakers from both parties demand greater oversight.
The White House has confirmed that the U.S. military carried out the strike on survivors of a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted that Adm. Frank Bradley, head of Special Operations Command, was acting “within his authority and the law” when approving the assault.
This latest incident follows a troubling trend of U.S. operations against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean, where at least 83 people have been killed in over 20 strikes. The events of September 2, in particular, have come under fire. Reports indicate that a commander ordered a follow-up strike based on a verbal directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “kill everyone on board,” raising serious ethical and legal questions.
Former military lawyers express concern that these operations may violate both domestic and international laws, risking legal repercussions for U.S. personnel involved. A classified Justice Department memo reportedly suggests that participants would not face prosecution, despite these serious allegations.
In a show of support for the military, Hegseth has refuted claims made by The Washington Post, which brought these issues to light, labeling the report as “fake news.” He insists that the operations are lawful under both U.S. and international law. President Donald Trump has also backed Hegseth while expressing discomfort over the notion of follow-up strikes, stating, “I wouldn’t have wanted that, a second strike. The first strike was very lethal. It was fine.”
The political fallout is severe. Representative Michael Turner of Ohio stated that if the follow-up attack occurred as described, it would be “very serious” and likely illegal.
As lawmakers prepare for increased scrutiny, Senate Armed Services Committee leaders, including Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Jack Reed (D-RI), are calling for “vigorous oversight” to uncover the facts surrounding the September 2 mission and subsequent strikes.
The White House has indicated that President Trump will convene his national security team to discuss ongoing military operations in the Caribbean, including potential actions against Venezuela.
This is a developing story, and updates will follow as new information emerges. With the stakes rising, the implications of these military actions could have far-reaching effects on U.S. foreign policy and military ethics.
Stay tuned for more urgent updates on this critical situation.
