Overview
- Adm. Frank M. Bradley authorized a second September 2 strike near Trinidad that killed two men left in the water after an initial missile hit sank a suspected drug boat.
- Bradley told lawmakers he aimed to neutralize the drug-laden vessel, but legal specialists say people in distress at sea are protected as shipwrecked and should have been rescued if feasible.
- Geoffrey Corn called the failure to attempt recovery the most troubling element, and Todd Huntley rejected Bradley’s rationale about possible radios or a speculative rendezvous.
- Reporting indicates Pentagon simulations anticipated survivors before the mission, yet no personnel or equipment were positioned for rescue operations that day.
- Intelligence cited by officials said the shipment was bound for Suriname rather than the United States, intensifying questions over lawful targeting as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backs Bradley and withholds a commitment to release the full footage viewed by divided lawmakers.