Trump defends Hegseth's ‘Kill everybody order’; Leavitt reveals who did? | shocking details emerge

Key Concepts

• Operation Southern Spear: A US military operation aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks in the Caribbean.
• September 2nd Strike: The initial strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean Sea.
• Second Strike/Follow-up Strike/Double Tap Strike: A subsequent strike on the same vessel after the initial attack, which resulted in the deaths of two survivors.
• Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC): The body of international law that governs the conduct of armed hostilities.
• Self-Defense: A justification for the use of force, asserting that the strike was necessary to protect Americans and vital US interests.
• Kinetic Strikes: Military strikes involving the use of force.
• Narot Terrorists: A term used by the administration to describe individuals or groups involved in drug trafficking, designating them as foreign terrorist organizations.
• Wrecked Vessel: A damaged or destroyed boat.
• Survivors: Individuals who survived an initial attack.
• War Crime: A violation of the laws or customs of war.
• Verbal Instruction/Order to Kill Everybody: A reported instruction from Secretary of War Pete Hegsth regarding the initial strike.
• Department of War: The US government department responsible for military affairs.
• Washington Post: The media outlet that published reports on the incident.
• X (formerly Twitter): A social media platform used for official statements.
• Air Force One: The official aircraft of the President of the United States.
• White House Press Secretary: The spokesperson for the White House.
• Senate Armed Services Committee & House Armed Services Committee: Congressional committees responsible for overseeing military matters.
• Senate Intelligence Committee: A congressional committee that oversees intelligence activities.
• Department of Justice (DOJ): The US federal department responsible for enforcing the law and administering justice.
• Office of Legal Counsel: A part of the DOJ that provides legal advice.
• Commutation: The reduction of a sentence.
• Ponzi Scheme: An investment fraud that pays existing investors with funds collected from new investors.
• Weaponization of Justice: The alleged misuse of the justice system for political purposes.

Summary of the YouTube Video Transcript

This transcript details the controversy surrounding a US military strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean Sea on September 2nd, 2025, during Operation Southern Spear. The incident, which involved an initial strike that destroyed the vessel and killed nine individuals, followed by a second strike that killed two survivors clinging to debris, has ignited significant political and legal scrutiny.

The September 2nd Strikes and Initial Reports

• Operation Southern Spear: The operation was conducted under the Trump administration with the stated aim of dismantling drug trafficking networks.
• Initial Strike: The first strike on September 2nd, 2025, was described as "lethal and kinetic," destroying the vessel and killing nine individuals.
• Survivors and Second Strike: Two individuals survived the initial attack. Reports, notably from the Washington Post, alleged that Secretary of War Pete Hegsth gave a "verbal instruction described as an order to kill everybody." Subsequently, the mission's commander, Admiral Frank Bradley, reportedly ordered a second strike, resulting in the deaths of the two survivors.
• Controversy: The targeting of surviving individuals has made the strikes highly controversial.

Official Responses and Denials

• Secretary of War Pete Hegsth: Hegsth dismissed the Washington Post report as "fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory," labeling the outlet as "fake news." He defended the strikes as intended to be lethal and kinetic, with the objective of preventing drug traffickers from entering the US. Hegsth later distanced himself from the scrutiny, stating on X that he stands by Admiral Frank Bradley and his combat decisions, calling the men protecting America "fortunate."
• President Trump: Trump stated that his administration would investigate the reports of the second strike, adding, "I wouldn't have wanted that, not a second strike." He also mentioned that Hegsth told him he did not order the death of the two men and that he believes Hegsth "100%." When pressed about whether he would be okay with a second strike if Hegsth had ordered it, Trump reiterated Hegsth's denial, stating, "He said he didn't do it. So I don't have to make that decision." He also expressed confidence in Hegsth, stating, "Pete said he did not order the death of those two men."
• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levit: Levit supported Hegsth's actions, asserting that the September 2nd strike was conducted in "self-defense to protect Americans and vital United States interests" in international waters and in accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC). She clarified that while Secretary Hegsth denied the reported second strike, the administration's position is that the second strike did happen, but Secretary Hegsth did not give the order. Levit stated that President Trump and Secretary Hegsth have made it clear that "presidentially designated narot terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting in accordance with the laws of war." She further explained that Secretary Hegsth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes, and Admiral Bradley acted "well within his authority and the law" to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat eliminated. Levit emphasized the administration's designation of these groups as foreign terrorist organizations and the president's right to eliminate them if they threaten the US by bringing illegal narcotics.

Legal and Ethical Arguments

• Legality of the Second Strike: Experts have described the second attack, a "double tap strike," as potentially illegal. The transcript highlights a conflict between the administration's claims of legality and the US Navy's own Manual of the Law of War, which reportedly states that "specifically firing on survivors from a wrecked vessel is an example of a war crime that's forbidden under US law and the law of armed conflict."
• Justification for Force: The administration argues that force can only be used in response to a genuine threat. The legality of the second strike hinges on who made the decision and whether it complied with legal rules.
• Self-Defense Claim: Levit stated the strike was conducted in self-defense to protect Americans and vital US interests.
• Survivors' Threat: When questioned about the imminent threat posed by two survivors clinging to wreckage, Levit deferred to the Department of War and Admiral Bradley's authority to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat eliminated.

Congressional Scrutiny and Oversight

• Bipartisan Concern: Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have expressed concern and vowed to investigate the incident.
• Committee Actions: The Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Armed Services Committee announced they will ensure oversight and seek a full accounting of the operation.
• Briefings: Admiral Bradley is scheduled to brief the Senate Intelligence Committee. Senators Mark Warner and Chair Tom Cotton are discussing the issue.
• Transparency Demands: Senator Warner called for the administration to release an unedited video of the strikes to assess their legality and ensure personnel are not in unsafe or illegal positions.
• Document Review: Levit mentioned that 13 bipartisan briefings on the Venezuelan strikes have occurred, and classified DOJ Office of Legal Counsel opinions and related documents have been made available for review by members of Congress, with a significant portion of reviewers being Democrats.

Related Issues and Clarifications

• Hegsth's Statement on Survivors: The transcript reiterates that Hegsth denied ordering the death of the two men and that he did not know what people were talking about regarding a second strike on survivors.
• Policy on Survivors: When asked if there was a policy change regarding survivors after the September 2nd strike, given that two individuals were rescued in October, Levit stated, "Not to my knowledge. No."
• Pardon of David Gentile: In a separate but related discussion about the "weaponization of justice," Levit defended President Trump's commutation of David Gentile's sentence. She argued that the Biden Department of Justice's claim of a Ponzi scheme was undercut by prior disclosure to investors and that the government couldn't tie fraudulent representations to Gentile. This was presented as an example of the previous administration's alleged misuse of the justice system.
• Venezuela Meeting: Levit confirmed that President Trump would be meeting with his national security team to discuss Venezuela and other matters, but declined to detail specifics.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

The transcript reveals a significant controversy surrounding a US military operation in the Caribbean. The core of the dispute lies in the legality and authorization of a second strike that killed survivors of an initial attack. While the administration, through Secretary Hegsth and Press Secretary Levit, asserts the strikes were lawful, conducted in self-defense, and authorized within legal frameworks, critics and experts point to potential violations of the Law of Armed Conflict, particularly regarding the targeting of survivors. Congressional oversight is actively being pursued, with bipartisan calls for transparency and a full accounting of the events. The administration's defense relies heavily on the designation of drug traffickers as "narot terrorists" and the authority to target them, while also denying specific orders from higher officials for the second strike, placing the decision-making authority with Admiral Bradley. The transcript also touches upon broader themes of alleged "weaponization of justice" and the administration's approach to combating drug trafficking.