The Pentagon is in turmoil following a White House announcement that has publicly identified the military officer responsible for a contentious missile strike. Admiral Frank Mitchell Bradley, a high-ranking officer, was thrust into the spotlight on Monday when the White House disclosed his role in the September 2 operation against a Venezuelan drug vessel in the Caribbean.
The operation initially targeted a suspected drug-smuggling boat in international waters, leading to a devastating missile strike that engulfed the vessel in flames and resulted in multiple casualties. Controversy arose when a second strike was called, reportedly eliminating the two survivors from the first strike who were clinging to debris.
Defense insiders are in an uproar, with accusations flying that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is attempting to shift blame onto military personnel, particularly onto Bradley. According to the Washington Post, Pentagon officials have expressed outrage, with one characterizing the White House's move as a tactic to protect Hegseth. Another official accused the administration of abandoning its service members.
In response to the backlash, Hegseth took to social media to defend Bradley, hailing him as "an American hero" and "a true professional," and affirming his full support for Bradley's combat decisions. However, this defense has been met with skepticism, with critics suggesting it's an attempt to deflect responsibility.
At the time of the strikes, Bradley was heading the Joint Special Operations Command and is currently the commander of the United States Special Operations Command. Reports indicate that he personally watched the operation via a live drone feed and ordered the second strike after deeming the survivors a potential threat.
The incident has raised serious questions about the legality and morality of the operation, with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers committing to investigate the strikes and whether they violated international humanitarian law. The White House, through spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, has defended the operation, asserting that it was an act of self-defense, legally conducted in international waters, and targeted individuals designated as foreign terrorists.
The controversy intensified following a report by the Washington Post alleging that Hegseth had verbally ordered the elimination of all crew members on the boat. President Trump, while initially supporting Hegseth's denial of such an order, also indicated that the administration would conduct an investigation into the matter, expressing his disapproval of a second strike.
The unfolding situation has sparked a debate over military accountability and the chain of command, and it remains to be seen how the investigations will resolve the concerns raised by this incident.
