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reACTIONary

(6,874 posts)
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 02:07 PM 16 hrs ago

Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all

Source: WaPo, No Paywall, Registration Required

As two men clung to a stricken, burning ship targeted by SEAL Team 6, the Joint Special Operations commander followed the defense secretary’s order to leave no survivors.

The alleged traffickers pose no imminent threat of attack against the United States and are not, as the Trump administration has tried to argue, in an “armed conflict” with the U.S., these officials and experts say. Because there is no legitimate war between the two sides, killing any of the men in the boats “amounts to murder,” said Todd Huntley, a former military lawyer who advised Special Operations forces for seven years at the height of the U.S. counterterrorism campaign.

Even if the U.S. were at war with the traffickers, an order to kill all the boat’s occupants if they were no longer able to fight “would in essence be an order to show no quarter, which would be a war crime,” said Huntley, now director of the national security law program at Georgetown Law.

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts), a Marine Corps veteran and vocal Trump critic who received a classified briefing from Pentagon officials on the strikes in late October with other members of the House Armed Services Committee said, “Mark my words: It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.”

Read more: https://wapo.st/49KbUJ1

54 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all (Original Post) reACTIONary 16 hrs ago OP
So fucking cruel. He and Trump just horrible human beings. sueh 16 hrs ago #1
Hegseth is sick BlueWaveNeverEnd 16 hrs ago #2
Crimes against humanity mcar 16 hrs ago #3
At Least! GB_RN 10 hrs ago #38
Has to be the Hague Sedona 16 hrs ago #4
I really doubt prosecutions will ever happen. drray23 16 hrs ago #5
Kegsbreath doing what Nazis did is not at all surprising. Hugin 15 hrs ago #6
How can they defend the indefensible? BattleRow 14 hrs ago #15
Time to reconvene popsdenver 11 hrs ago #37
That link is still behind a paywall; D. Spaulding 15 hrs ago #7
It's not behind a paywall. Ms. Toad 15 hrs ago #9
Archive link IronLionZion 15 hrs ago #10
It requires registration, not monitary payment..... reACTIONary 14 hrs ago #16
Some day we may have Nuremburg style trials for these A-holes IronLionZion 15 hrs ago #8
May, indeed. Justice matters. 4 hrs ago #48
We are not at war, to kill the survivors of the boat bombings is horrific. Irish_Dem 15 hrs ago #11
Let alone to bomb it at all. reACTIONary 14 hrs ago #17
The US military is guilty of murdering innocent civilians. Irish_Dem 14 hrs ago #18
In This Case... GB_RN 10 hrs ago #39
It is called murder, considered a crime everywhere. Irish_Dem 1 hr ago #54
Is there video, or will this be heresay? Who reported this? Bayard 15 hrs ago #12
There were many sources for the full story reACTIONary 14 hrs ago #24
There is video then Bayard 7 hrs ago #46
Covering up another My Lai style massacre huh... Justice matters. 4 hrs ago #49
So does military training... El Mimbreno 15 hrs ago #13
I am not a military lawyer lapfog_1 14 hrs ago #14
Glad this incident is getting attention, but the truth is EVERY SINGLE ATTACK off the coast of Venezuela is murder and a Fil1957 14 hrs ago #19
If Venezula fight back, Trump gets his war Attilatheblond 13 hrs ago #26
Why is it Mr. Evil 14 hrs ago #20
Obama ZDU 14 hrs ago #25
I hope Representative Moultan words come true. Gimpyknee 14 hrs ago #21
Hegseth, War Criminal ZDU 14 hrs ago #22
So, Hegseth is SO desperate to keep his job he will order military to commit murder to give Trump a boner? Attilatheblond 14 hrs ago #23
And there it is Aviation Pro 13 hrs ago #27
We have plenty of military muscle to capture these boats without killing all on board and destroying all evidence.... If Norrrm 13 hrs ago #28
Illegal order, should have disobeyed Blues Heron 13 hrs ago #29
"Mark my words: It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this sheshe2 13 hrs ago #30
Hope he has a date with the Hague. Traitor to the Constitution. Congress? Evolve Dammit 13 hrs ago #31
Cold blooded murder! red dog 1 11 hrs ago #32
Everyone down the line can be subject to prosecution NH Ethylene 11 hrs ago #33
sounds like murder. Sadly military has historically had very few ramifications for these "actions." Evolve Dammit 11 hrs ago #34
Yep. My Lai, South Vietnam (at the time). nt Justice matters. 4 hrs ago #50
It may not technically be able to be designated as a "war crime" Wiz Imp 11 hrs ago #35
War crimes are technically within scope.... reACTIONary 9 hrs ago #42
How does that apply? Wiz Imp 7 hrs ago #44
"Premeditated Murder" red dog 1 11 hrs ago #36
Nope angrychair 10 hrs ago #40
The only way anyone would be held accountable is if Trump, saying he was not involved, karynnj 10 hrs ago #41
Dead men tell no tales. bluedigger 8 hrs ago #43
Straight up war crimes AdamGG 7 hrs ago #45
Kicked and recommended Uncle Joe 6 hrs ago #47
If they killed one crew member, they HAD to kill them all DFW 4 hrs ago #51
SEAL Team 6 EuterpeThelo 4 hrs ago #52
They think this is a movie... DemMedic 2 hrs ago #53

GB_RN

(3,478 posts)
38. At Least!
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 08:06 PM
10 hrs ago

The killing of survivors of torpedoed/sunken enemy ships was a war crime in WW2. Ask the Nazi’s Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz, Kapitänleutnant Heinz Eck, and Korvettenkapitän Karl-Heinz Moehle.

Kapitänleutnant Heinz Eck was sentenced to death for his crimes…

“I was just following orders,” won’t get you far in a war crimes trial…

drray23

(8,541 posts)
5. I really doubt prosecutions will ever happen.
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 02:47 PM
16 hrs ago
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts), a Marine Corps veteran and vocal Trump critic who received a classified briefing from Pentagon officials on the strikes in late October with other members of the House Armed Services Committee said, “Mark my words: It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.”


I do not believe for a second our country will do the right thing after we wrestle control of it back from Trump and MAGATS. There will be so much stuff to do to rebuild it that this will be very low in the priority list. Dozens of people will get away for war crimes, corruption and other crimes.

Hugin

(37,197 posts)
6. Kegsbreath doing what Nazis did is not at all surprising.
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 02:57 PM
15 hrs ago

There’s no justification possible for an action such as this. I am going to guess that some, such as Kelly were aware of it and that’s why they made the video. Tantrum Tito and Kegsbreath’s subsequent actions were trying to get out in front of it because they knew it was eventually going to come out.

I doubt this was an isolated incident. There were reports of survivors on subsequent strikes being picked up and whisked off. What is their status?

popsdenver

(1,158 posts)
37. Time to reconvene
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 07:43 PM
11 hrs ago

The Nuremberg Court and trials.........

I guess those SEAL TEAM SIX members thought it was a LAWFUL ORDER/????? BULLSHIT
My opinion of the U.S. Navy Seals has now hit the bottom of the barrel............

All of those involved in the U.S. Navy who participated in any of this, should be court marshaled,
And Trump, His CABAL, Republican Senators, and Republican House Members as well as the Republicans on the U.S. Supreme Court should all be rounded up and sent to the Hague.....

And all of them, all the way up to Trump can't use the excuse 'I was just following orders".....all the NAZI's tried claiming that........and it didn't work.......

Ms. Toad

(38,023 posts)
9. It's not behind a paywall.
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 03:32 PM
15 hrs ago

But it does require a free account.

Go to archive.li and paste the URL and it will let you see it without providing an email address.

IronLionZion

(50,485 posts)
10. Archive link
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 03:33 PM
15 hrs ago
https://archive.ph/Dnq8a

You can plug any URL into this site and see if it has been archived, or create an archive.

reACTIONary

(6,874 posts)
16. It requires registration, not monitary payment.....
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 04:34 PM
14 hrs ago

... this sort or enterprise investigative reporting not only is costly, it is increasingly risky and dangerous. Give them some support and sign up for a "free" account.

Justice matters.

(9,159 posts)
48. May, indeed.
Sat Nov 29, 2025, 02:11 AM
4 hrs ago

Will it be the same as in the past 25 years with the "looking forward, not backward" excuse for doing nothing again?

Candidates running for office should be asked specifically about that and be held accountable if not delivered.

Irish_Dem

(78,301 posts)
11. We are not at war, to kill the survivors of the boat bombings is horrific.
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 03:38 PM
15 hrs ago

This is first degree murder.

GB_RN

(3,478 posts)
39. In This Case...
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 08:11 PM
10 hrs ago

While it probably can’t be tried as a war crime, I’m betting it could go down as a “crime against humanity” or “crime against peace” (if the latter is still used).

Bayard

(28,007 posts)
12. Is there video, or will this be heresay? Who reported this?
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 03:39 PM
15 hrs ago

"Just following orders," is not going to get it. I'm glad Sen. Kelly and company made their video.

reACTIONary

(6,874 posts)
24. There were many sources for the full story
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 04:46 PM
14 hrs ago

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a spoken directive, according to two people with direct knowledge of the operation. “The order was to kill everybody,” one of them said.

The elite counterterror group SEAL Team 6 led the attack, according to four people with direct knowledge of the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing sensitive operations.

SEAL Team 6, known formally as Naval Special Warfare Development Group and under JSOC command, conducted the intelligence collection and targeting for this attack and several others, according to two people.

If the video of the blast that killed the two survivors on Sept. 2 were made public, people would be horrified, said one person who watched the live feed.

In briefing materials provided to the White House, JSOC reported that the “double-tap,” or follow-on strike, was intended to sink the boat and remove a navigation hazard to other vessels — not to kill survivors, according to another person who saw the report.

In subsequent strikes on alleged traffickers that left no survivors, the U.S. military has also fired multiple missiles to remove boats from the waterways, several people familiar with the matter said.

Justice matters.

(9,159 posts)
49. Covering up another My Lai style massacre huh...
Sat Nov 29, 2025, 02:17 AM
4 hrs ago

Less victims but still a similar cover up attempt with lies?

lapfog_1

(31,486 posts)
14. I am not a military lawyer
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 03:50 PM
14 hrs ago

but EVEN if these men were legitimate enemy combatants and HAD fired on US Navy forces before their boat was blown up...

I think it is still a war crime to execute them while they are holding onto pieces of their blown up boat.



Fil1957

(432 posts)
19. Glad this incident is getting attention, but the truth is EVERY SINGLE ATTACK off the coast of Venezuela is murder and a
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 04:39 PM
14 hrs ago

war crime. Even the destruction of the submarine which likely WAS transporting drugs is murder and a war crime.

Hope he and the other sick bastards responsible for these crimes get serious prison time. It's the only way this murderous madness is going to stop.

Attilatheblond

(7,919 posts)
26. If Venezula fight back, Trump gets his war
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 04:49 PM
13 hrs ago

Just like abusing people in the US until somebody fights back and he declares it's an insurrection and gets him magic powers to just kill people.

The GOP better face reality and impeach/convict the lot of this administration NOW.

Mr. Evil

(3,421 posts)
20. Why is it
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 04:39 PM
14 hrs ago

when someone is given a title or position of power, usually one of the first things they do is inflict pain and suffering. In Kegsbreath's case... death. Why? History has borne this out. When was the last time anyone was given a title or position of power and they immediately began to do great beneficial things? One thing I've learned is that you never give a drunk and/or rapist a position of power.

This is our Secretary of Defense.

https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1w2pu7.img?w=1200&h=675&m=4&q=89


Attilatheblond

(7,919 posts)
23. So, Hegseth is SO desperate to keep his job he will order military to commit murder to give Trump a boner?
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 04:46 PM
14 hrs ago

And the military is OK with this? Blackest day for the US in a very long time.

Off to the Hague for the lot of them!

Aviation Pro

(15,122 posts)
27. And there it is
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 04:50 PM
13 hrs ago

Murder charges and no immunity for you, you tabless, fucking, failed infantry officer.

And I wouldn’t count on a pardon from the Couch Fucker after the fucking pedophile goes horizontal.

Norrrm

(3,564 posts)
28. We have plenty of military muscle to capture these boats without killing all on board and destroying all evidence.... If
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 05:06 PM
13 hrs ago

We have plenty of military muscle to capture these boats without killing all on board and destroying all evidence.... If evidence of the drugs exists.

sheshe2

(95,099 posts)
30. "Mark my words: It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 05:16 PM
13 hrs ago

Aaron Rupar
@atrupar.com‬
“Mark my words: It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.”

“Mark my words: It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.”

Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-11-28T20:37:21.795Z

Evolve Dammit

(21,358 posts)
34. sounds like murder. Sadly military has historically had very few ramifications for these "actions."
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 07:27 PM
11 hrs ago

Wiz Imp

(8,379 posts)
35. It may not technically be able to be designated as a "war crime"
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 07:32 PM
11 hrs ago

But it absolutely a Crime Against Humanity.

reACTIONary

(6,874 posts)
42. War crimes are technically within scope....
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 09:25 PM
9 hrs ago

From the article.....

Even if the U.S. were at war with the traffickers, an order to kill all the boat’s occupants if they were no longer able to fight “would in essence be an order to show no quarter, which would be a war crime,” said Huntley, now director of the national security law program at Georgetown Law.

Wiz Imp

(8,379 posts)
44. How does that apply?
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 11:02 PM
7 hrs ago

It says "Even if the U.S. were at war with the traffickers...would be a war crime". But the US isn't at war with Venezuela or anyone else whose boats they are blowing up. This is not "armed conflict", It's the US carrying out a massacre of possibly innocent people with no proof that they have done anything wrong. the US is simply attacking boats unprovoked who are not fighting back. It's not clear to me if international courts would call it a war crime , but it is definitely a crime against humanity.

angrychair

(11,563 posts)
40. Nope
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 08:13 PM
10 hrs ago

It's naive to think there is such a thing as "justice" anymore. Only the poor and disenfranchised face "justice". The wealthy and entitled just get pardons and wealth and power.

karynnj

(60,711 posts)
41. The only way anyone would be held accountable is if Trump, saying he was not involved,
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 08:47 PM
10 hrs ago

fired and tried Hegseth.

This would have to become a much bigger, more negative story than it is now ... But should be. Trump will throw anyone under a buss if he is threatened.

AdamGG

(1,849 posts)
45. Straight up war crimes
Fri Nov 28, 2025, 11:03 PM
7 hrs ago

Drug smuggling isn't a capital offense and there's no evidence that they're even doing that. Kegsbreath and some others need to end up on trial in the Hague.

DFW

(59,485 posts)
51. If they killed one crew member, they HAD to kill them all
Sat Nov 29, 2025, 02:39 AM
4 hrs ago

Since they obviously did NOT have concrete proof the everyone on board was a drug trafficker, in case that it turned out that they killed innocent people, even Hegseth must have known that he could be brought in chains to The Hague and jailed for life. Witnesses who can talk represent a mortal danger to everyone involved, from the actual shooters on up to the one who gave the order.

EuterpeThelo

(144 posts)
52. SEAL Team 6
Sat Nov 29, 2025, 02:48 AM
4 hrs ago

Wasn't it that team that took out OBL?

How far they have fallen to be participating in this blatantly criminal behavior. I weep for our country.

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