The White House confirmed Monday that a second strike took place against an alleged drug boat in September, killing several survivors clinging to the wreckage of the first explosion — but said it was an admiral who ordered the second attack, not Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“And he was well within his authority to do so,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters during a press briefing.
The Washington Post first reported last week that Hegseth authorized a highly unusual strike to kill all occupants of an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, sparking a firestorm of criticism that culminated over the weekend as several lawmakers openly speculated that such an attack could violate the rules governing U.S. Navy engagement and international law.