Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is hitting back after a Washington Post report accused him of ordering troops to “kill everybody” aboard a suspected drug-smuggling vessel.
According to The Hill, the story centers on a series of U.S. military strikes that have destroyed over 20 alleged narco-trafficking boats and killed more than 80 individuals the administration describes as narco-terrorists, prompting questions about the legality of such lethal force.
The firestorm began when the Washington Post published a deeply critical report quoting sources who claimed Hegseth gave direct and brutal orders during a targeted operation in early September. That particular strike reportedly required two rounds of missiles because the first did not eliminate everyone on board.
Hegseth Says Lethal Force Was Justified
Hegseth immediately fired back, calling out the media for what he called another hit job on America’s defenders. “As usual, the fake news is delivering more fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting to discredit our incredible warriors fighting to protect the homeland,” he said in a strongly worded statement. He doubled down on the mission, calling the military actions both precise and effective, focused solely on dismantling dangerous drug routes and eliminating cartel assets at sea.
“These highly effective strikes are specifically intended to be ‘lethal, kinetic strikes,’” Hegseth added, clarifying that every target was linked to a designated terrorist group responsible for flooding the U.S. with deadly drugs.
Senator Accuses Hegseth Of Ordering Illegal Killings
But Hegseth’s defense didn’t stop critics from piling on. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) took to social media, accusing the defense secretary of likely issuing unlawful commands during the operations. “If you want to know why Hegseth is panicking about reminders that there is accountability for giving or carrying out illegal orders, it’s likely because he knows he has given illegal orders to murder people,” Murphy posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Murphy's remarks echoed wider bipartisan concerns over whether the actions had a solid legal framework. Some lawmakers are demanding transparency around the rules of engagement and how targets are vetted in these overseas waterway missions.
Policy Shift From Prior Administration Gets Spotlight
In his response, Hegseth contrasted the Trump administration’s offensive posture with what he called the Biden administration’s “kid gloves” approach to border and national security matters.
“The Biden administration preferred the kid gloves approach, allowing millions of people — including dangerous cartels and unvetted Afghans — to flood our communities with drugs and violence,” Hegseth said, asserting that the shift now underway is both decisive and aligned with national defense priorities. He emphasized that the Trump-era policies now in action are geared toward sealing the border and confronting narco-terrorists head-on, instead of appeasing them.
Critics Fail To Acknowledge Deadly Consequences Of Inaction
What’s not made clear in much of the criticism is the cost of standing still. With fentanyl overdoses skyrocketing and cartels operating like paramilitary organizations, the stakes couldn’t be higher. These strike missions aren't about score-settling—they're about preventing poisoned cargo from ever reaching American streets. Hegseth’s critics may be quick with hashtags, but slow to offer viable alternatives.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon maintains that every strike is evaluated and carried out under procedures crafted by military legal advisors and national security teams. The Hill confirmed it had reached out to the Washington Post for further comment on the claims in the original report but received no immediate response.
Mission Objectives: Dismantle Cartels, Save American Lives
From the administration’s standpoint, the message is clear: these are not harmless fishing trips being hit—they're operational hubs of organized crime under the banner of terrorism.
Hegseth believes the military’s role is to engage these threats upstream, before they can fuel addiction and violence downstream. “Every trafficker we kill is affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization,” he emphasized.
Regardless of media attempts to sensationalize the strikes, the mission remains unapologetically tough: disrupt the networks, destroy the vessels, and defend the homeland. America is watching—some with furrowed brows, others with relief.
