Lawrence: Hegseth's story on boat strike hinges on a new ‘fog of war’ lie

Allegations of Wrongdoing and Cover-Up - The report alleges that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorized the killing of 11 people in a small boat, initially claiming clear visibility, but later citing the "fog of war" as justification [3][4][5] - The report suggests a potential cover-up, alleging that a second missile strike was ordered to eliminate survivors, and that protocols were changed after the strike to emphasize rescuing suspected smugglers [8][15] - The report highlights conflicting statements from Secretary Hegseth and the White House regarding knowledge of the second strike, raising questions of lying or incompetence [6][7][12] Ethical and Legal Concerns - The report raises concerns about potential war crimes, citing George Will's description of Secretary Hegseth as a "war criminal without a war" [8] - The report emphasizes that firing upon shipwrecked individuals is a clear violation of the Pentagon's war manual [15][16] Internal Reactions and Potential Consequences - The report indicates internal turmoil within the Defense Department, with officials expressing anger and concern over the handling of the situation and potential scapegoating [19][20] - The report suggests that some of Secretary Hegseth's top civilian staff were deeply alarmed by the revelations and were contemplating leaving the administration [20] Congressional Scrutiny - The report mentions the potential for congressional investigations into the incident, particularly with the upcoming Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives [17] - The report notes that Republican Senator Roger Wicker acknowledged the need to gather information and determine if a war crime had occurred [17][18]