FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth looks on during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 18, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) delivered a sharp rebuke on Monday following reports on the Pentagon's controversial boat strike, in which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was reported to have authorized a second attack on survivors of an initial strike.
If the allegations prove true, Tillis told reporters that the person responsible needs "to get the hell out of Washington," according to Newsweek.
Tillis, a thorn in Trump's side who has said he'll leave Congress, emphasized the need to fully investigate the incident, but insisted that a follow-up strike would constitute "a violation of an ethical, moral or legal code" if confirmed. The comments come amid increasing scrutiny on the Trump administration's three-month U.S. military campaign targeting suspected drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the second strike, asserting that Special Operations Command head Adm. Frank Bradley was "within his authority and the law" when approving the strike. The Washington Post had previously reported that a commander ordered a follow-up strike killing two survivors, reportedly complying with a verbal order from Hegseth to "kill everyone on board."
Bipartisan concern has emerged, with lawmakers demanding greater congressional oversight over the strikes. Former military lawyers and international observers have warned that these operations could potentially violate domestic and international law, despite a classified Justice Department memo reportedly suggesting participants would not face prosecution.
Hegseth has vigorously rejected the reporting, calling it "fake news" and insisting the Caribbean operations are lawful.
"Let’s make one thing crystal clear: Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support. I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made — on the September 2 mission and all others since. America is fortunate to have such men protecting us. When this @DeptofWar says we have the back of our warriors — we mean it," Hegseth wrote on X.
President Donald Trump has publicly supported his defense secretary while expressing reservations about a second strike, telling reporters he wouldn't have wanted such an action.