WASHINGTON – The Navy admiral who allegedly issued commands for the U.S. military to draw fire on survivors of an attack on a presumed drug boat is scheduled to deliver a classified briefing Thursday, December 4 on Capitol Hill. Leading congressional lawmakers overseeing national security are the ones conducting the session.
Earlier this week, Congress launched an investigation into Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s handling of military procedures in international waters near Venezuela. Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley’s testimony is significant during this potential critical moment. Questions continue to arise about whether the attack violates international law.
Lawmakers are requesting a full report of the strikes following The Washington Post’s report that Bradley placed the order to attack two survivors in compliance with Hegseth’s instruction to “kill everybody,” on Sept. 2. If the survivors were indeed targeted, the incident could be deemed a crime, legal experts claim, according to AP News.
Bipartisanship is apparent, as lawmakers are demanding accountability.
“I can’t imagine anyone, no matter what the circumstance, believing it is appropriate to kill people who are clinging to a boat in the water. That is clearly unlawful,” said Michael Schmitt, a former Air Force Lawyer and professor emeritus at the U.S. Naval War College, to AP News.
Bradley will testify before a variety of top congressional leaders, including high-profile Democrats on the House and Senate Armed Services committees and the Republican chairs. Additionally, Bradley will speak privately to the GOP chairman and Democratic vice chairman on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
“Secretary Hegseth, you need to do the right thing. Tell the truth. Release the full, unedited tapes of the September 2 boat strikes. Only then will Americans know the truth, because no one believes Hegseth,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer expressed during a floor speech on Wednesday, December 3.
Democratic lawmakers are additionally demanding that the Trump administration release written records of the orders and any instructions from Secretary Hegseth. Republicans, despite refraining from public outcry, have also committed to an extensive review of the matter.
