"JUST MURDER!" Veteran SLAMS Hegseth's excuses for boat strikes

Alleged War Crime Investigation - The Defense Secretary Pete Hexus is under scrutiny regarding the legality of a boat strike on September 2nd that resulted in 11 alleged drug smugglers deaths, prompting calls for accountability from both Republicans and Democrats [1] - Legal experts are assessing whether war crimes were committed, particularly concerning the killing of two survivors who were waving for help [1] - Steve Kennedy argues that the boat strike could be considered murder because there is no congressional authorization for the use of military force, meaning the US is not officially at war [7] Rules of Engagement and Military Conduct - The military trains personnel that individuals who are out of the fight are off-limits, and violating this principle could lead to imprisonment [9] - Concerns are raised that Defense Secretary Pete Hexus's emphasis on lethality contradicts the qualities of a good military leader, who should prioritize clear instructions and awareness of consequences [10] - Good leaders ensure their troops understand and follow the law, especially in split-second decisions [11] Potential Legal Repercussions - There is a possibility that individuals involved in these strikes could face prosecution in a future administration [12][13] - Liability for potential war crimes or murder could extend up and down the chain of command, with those who pulled the trigger also being held accountable [13][14] - A secret DOJ memo exists that approves of these boat strikes based on the claim that the US is in a state of armed conflict with drug cartels [15][16] - Even with the DOJ memo, the "double tap" strike on individuals who posed no risk and were out of the fight would still be considered a crime [17][18][20]