Hegseth defends lethal strikes against alleged drug traffickers: ‘Biden coddled terrorists, we kill them’
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defended the Trump administration’s military operations against drug trafficking in the Caribbean, asserting a stark contrast between their aggressive approach and the Biden administration’s policies. Hegseth’s comments followed reports from major news outlets, including The Washington Post and CNN, detailing a second U.S. military strike on a suspected drug vessel on September 2. This operation, which resulted in two survivors, was met with controversy as the commander overseeing the mission deemed the survivors legitimate targets, citing their potential to coordinate with other traffickers. Hegseth emphasized that the directive for lethal strikes was aimed at dismantling drug networks and that every trafficker targeted was affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization.
In his statements, Hegseth criticized President Biden’s strategy, claiming that the current administration’s approach allows dangerous cartels and unvetted individuals to infiltrate American communities, thus exacerbating the drug crisis. He argued that the Trump administration’s “offensive” tactics have effectively sealed the border and taken the fight to the narco-terrorists. Hegseth insisted that the operations in the Caribbean were lawful under both U.S. and international law, with full compliance from military and civilian legal advisors. His remarks were echoed by House Armed Services Committee leaders, who pledged bipartisan oversight of military operations in the region, emphasizing the need for accountability regarding the follow-up strikes on the drug vessels.
Additionally, former President Donald Trump announced plans to intensify efforts against Venezuelan drug traffickers, stating that the U.S. would soon begin intercepting trafficking attempts by land. He highlighted the effectiveness of current maritime operations, claiming that about 85% of drug trafficking has been curtailed at sea. Trump’s comments reflect a broader strategy to combat the influx of narcotics that have devastating impacts on American communities, with both he and Hegseth framing their military actions as necessary measures to protect public safety. As the situation develops, both the military’s tactics and the political responses will likely continue to draw scrutiny and debate from lawmakers and the public alike.
Secretary of War
Pete Hegseth
wrote on X that “Biden coddled terrorists, we kill them,” in a post defending the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean Sea.
The declaration came following reports from outlets such as The Washington Post and CNN claiming the U.S. military ordered a second strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean
on Sept. 2
after the initial attack left two survivors.
The commander overseeing that operation told colleagues on a secure conference call that the survivors were legitimate targets because they could still contact other traffickers for help and ordered the second strike to comply with a directive from Hegseth that everyone must be killed, according to
The Washington Post.
“As usual, the fake news is delivering more fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting to discredit our incredible warriors fighting to protect the homeland,” Hegseth wrote on X on Friday.
TRUMP SAYS US WILL BEGIN STOPPING VENEZUELAN DRUG TRAFFICKERS BY LAND
“As we’ve said from the beginning, and in every statement, these highly effective strikes are specifically intended to be ‘
lethal, kinetic strikes
.’ The declared intent is to stop lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats, and kill
the narco-terrorists
who are poisoning the American people. Every trafficker we kill is affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization,” Hegseth continued.
“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. The Trump administration has sealed the border and gone on offense against narco-terrorists. Biden coddled terrorists, we kill them,” he added. “Our current operations in the Caribbean are lawful under both U.S. and international law, with all actions in compliance with the law of armed conflict — and approved by the best military and civilian lawyers, up and down the chain of command.”
In a separate post on his personal X account, Hegseth wrote, “We have only just begun to kill narco-terrorists.”
US FORCES KILL 3 NARCO-TERRORISTS IN EASTERN PACIFIC LETHAL STRIKE OPERATION TARGETING DRUG NETWORKS
House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers, R-Ala., and Ranking Member Adam Smith, D-Wash., issued a joint statement Saturday noting the committee is committed to providing “rigorous oversight” of the War Department’s military operations in the Caribbean.
“We take seriously the reports of follow-on strikes on boats alleged to be ferrying narcotics in the SOUTHCOM region and are taking bipartisan action to gather a full accounting of the operation in question,” the lawmakers wrote in the statement.
Fox News Digital has reached out to a Biden spokesperson for comment.
President
Donald Trump
also said on Thursday said the U.S. will “very soon” begin stopping suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers “by land.”
“From sending their poisons into the United States, where they kill hundreds of thousands of people a year — but we’re going to take care of that situation,” Trump said. “We’re already doing a lot … It’s about 85%
stopped by sea.”
The president added, “You probably noticed that now people aren’t wanting to be delivering by sea, and we’ll be starting to stop them by land also. The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon.”
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin and Sophia Compton contributed to this report.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
