UPDATE: In a shocking revelation, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has publicly condemned the orders leading to a military strike on survivors of a recent boat attack, asserting that those responsible should “get the hell out of Washington.” This urgent statement comes as the White House confirmed a second strike on September 2, which reportedly killed survivors of the initial attack, drawing widespread scrutiny and calls for accountability.
The senator’s remarks, made on October 7, 2025, underscore a growing bipartisan concern over a military campaign that has resulted in at least 83 fatalities from over 20 strikes targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Tillis emphasized that if the allegations are true, it could represent a grave violation of ethical, moral, or legal standards.
Earlier today, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Admiral Frank Bradley, head of Special Operations Command, acted within his legal authority when approving these strikes, reinforcing the administration’s stance amid mounting pressure from Congress.
“We still need to get to the bottom of this incident,” Tillis told reporters, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The situation escalated following a Washington Post report revealing that a U.S. commander allegedly ordered the follow-up attack based on a verbal instruction from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “kill everyone on board.” This claim has been met with fierce pushback from Hegseth, who labeled the report as “fake news” and reassured that military actions in the Caribbean are lawful.
This incident is part of a broader operation that has recently intensified, with lawmakers from both parties now demanding increased congressional oversight. The Senate Armed Services Committee has pledged to investigate the September 2 mission and subsequent strikes more rigorously.
As the situation unfolds, President Donald Trump expressed support for Hegseth while showing caution regarding the follow-up strike. While addressing the media, he stated, “I wouldn’t have wanted that, a second strike. The first strike was very lethal. It was fine.” His comments reflect a complex balancing act between reinforcing military actions and addressing the ethical implications of such decisions.
Representative Michael Turner (R-OH), chair of the House Intelligence Committee, echoed the sentiment of seriousness regarding the alleged order for a follow-up attack, indicating that it could constitute an illegal act. “If a follow-up attack occurred as described, that would be very serious,” he affirmed.
Amid this turmoil, Admiral Bradley received backing from Hegseth, who praised him as “an American hero” and reiterated the Pentagon’s commitment to its commanders and troops. The stakes are high as the U.S. navigates the legal and moral complexities of military engagement in the region.
The White House has indicated that President Trump will meet with his national security team later today to review ongoing operations and discuss potential next steps concerning Venezuela, signaling that this issue is far from resolved.
This is a developing story. As new details emerge, the call for accountability and ethical military conduct will likely intensify. Stay tuned for updates on this critical situation.
