UPDATE: Republican Senator Thom Tillis has issued a fiery demand for accountability regarding a military strike that targeted survivors of a recent U.S. operation in the Caribbean. Speaking to reporters just hours ago, Tillis declared that whoever ordered the controversial second strike needs to “get the hell out of Washington” if the allegations are true.
This urgent statement comes amid mounting scrutiny of a U.S. military campaign that has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 83 people across more than 20 strikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats. On September 2, a follow-up strike allegedly executed a deadly assault on survivors of an earlier attack, which has drawn bipartisan outrage and demands for greater oversight from Congress.
Earlier today, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the U.S. military had carried out the strike, insisting that Adm. Frank Bradley, head of Special Operations Command, acted “within his authority and the law.” However, the ethics of this operation are now under intense debate, raising critical questions about the legal ramifications of military actions against vulnerable targets.
The situation escalated after a report from The Washington Post suggested that a U.S. commander received a verbal order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “kill everyone on board” the targeted vessels. Representative Michael Turner, chair of the House Intelligence Committee, echoed concerns, stating that if a follow-up attack occurred as reported, “that would be very serious, and I agree that that would be an illegal act.”
As details continue to emerge, the White House has signaled a commitment to a thorough review of the military operations in the Caribbean. Leavitt announced that President Donald Trump would convene his national security team later today to discuss ongoing actions and potential future implications, including operations related to Venezuela.
Critics, including former military lawyers and international observers, warn that these strikes could risk violations of both domestic and international law, potentially exposing U.S. personnel to legal jeopardy. Despite this, Hegseth has defended the operations as compliant with the law of armed conflict, labeling critical media reports as “fake news.”
The political fallout from these strikes is rapidly evolving, with bipartisan calls for “vigorous oversight” from Senate Armed Services Committee leaders Roger Wicker and Jack Reed. They have pledged to investigate the facts surrounding the September 2 mission and subsequent actions by the military.
This developing situation is likely to intensify scrutiny over U.S. military engagements abroad. As lawmakers demand answers and the public remains vigilant, updates will continue to unfold throughout the day. Stay tuned for further developments as this story progresses.
