RT Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly)Threatening to target power plants and other non-military targets is not strength. If those words become orders to destroy civilian infrastructure with no valid military purpose, it’s hard to see how they would not violate the laws of armed conflict. America leads best with strength, discipline, and professionalism. Illegal orders to make civilians suffer would be a black mark on our military and our country. ...

Incident Overview - A deadly double tap boat strike in the Caribbean is under scrutiny by Congress [1] - The incident involves the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors [3][4] - Congressman describes the video of the second strike as one of the most troubling things he's ever seen in public service [4] Investigation and Transparency - Congress is demanding answers regarding the boat strike, alleging evasiveness from the White House and the Secretary of Defense [2] - The Pentagon is facing pressure to release the video of the second strike to the public [5] - The White House has stated that releasing the video is "no problem" [6] Legal and Ethical Concerns - Attacking a shipwreck is considered an impermissible action according to the DoD manual for abiding by the laws of armed conflict [3][7] - There are concerns about whether the actions taken were in accordance with acceptable and legal war conduct [7]

Defense Department Investigation & Concerns - Senator Mark Kelly and other lawmakers are under investigation by the Defense Department for a video reminding service members to follow the law [1][10] - The investigation was initiated following a tweet from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth [11] - Senator Kelly expresses concern about the competence of Secretary Hegseth and the potential for illegal orders, citing President Trump's past statements [1] "Double Tap" Strike Incident - The "double tap" strike incident is inconsistent with the laws of armed conflict and the Department of Defense's manual of war [1] - Senator Kelly calls for a thorough investigation into the incident, expressing distrust in the administration to provide complete information [1] - Secretary Hegseth was present and watching the operation live, making him responsible as the senior member in the operational chain of command [1] Secretary Hegseth's Leadership & Conduct - Secretary Hegseth's leadership style is described as "swaggering around" and using a "macho lexicon," referring to himself as the "Secretary of War" [1] - There is regret among some Republican senators who voted to confirm Secretary Hegseth, acknowledging his incompetence [1] - Secretary Hegseth is criticized for blaming others and lacking responsibility, contrasting with typical leadership behavior [1][8] Rules of Engagement & Accountability - Executing survivors in the water is against the law, and the proper procedure is to rescue survivors and then sink the boat [1] - Members of the military have a responsibility to not follow illegal orders [1] - There is a need for transparency and accountability regarding the incident, including making the legal analysis public [4][5][6]