Hegseth cites 'fog of war' in defending follow-on strike in scrutinized attack on alleged drug boat
Source: AP
Updated 2:10 PM EST, December 2, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cited the fog of war in defending a follow-up strike on an alleged drug-carrying boat in the Caribbean Sea earlier this year.
During Tuesdays cabinet meeting at the White House, Hegseth said that he did not see that there were survivors in the water when the second strike was ordered and launched in early September, saying that the thing was on fire and citing the fog of war in defending the strike.
Hegseth also said he didnt stick around for the remainder of the mission following the first strike, and said that the admiral in charge had made the right call in ordering it, which he had complete authority to do.
The Washington Post first reported that Hegseth issued a verbal order for the second strike that killed survivors on the boat. On Monday, the White House said that Navy Vice Adm. Frank Mitch Bradley acted within his authority and the law when he ordered the second strike.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-trump-venezuela-540ae279827e02105e089f1bd5af37a6
What is a "thing"? It was a civilian boat with civilians on it. No one bothered to board it to determine what its intentions were.
When did the U.S. (CONGRESS) "declare war"?
Irish_Dem
(78,490 posts)hlthe2b
(112,345 posts)Much less a metaphoric war. Mr. Macho-wannabe, whose insecurity literally SCREAMS from his words and "actions."
But, yes... MURDER!
Irish_Dem
(78,490 posts)yardwork
(68,699 posts)The U.S. aimed a missile at an unarmed fishing boat off the coast of Venezuela and when a couple people survived, we hit them again.
Not a war. We call this terrorism when other people do it.
Irish_Dem
(78,490 posts)And yes they are using murder to terrorize everyone.
ananda
(34,147 posts)They're like spoiled psychopathic children
who think they can get away with anything.
Ray Bruns
(5,842 posts)moniss
(8,514 posts)Blumancru
(126 posts)2na fisherman
(189 posts)Fog of Rum.
erronis
(22,195 posts)why wouldn't little drunkard pete try that exit door?
For those that are too old or too young: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fog_of_War
FakeNoose
(39,737 posts)Vietnam really was a serious war, even though Congress never got around to declaring "war" on Vietnam.
Hogsbreath has a lot of nerve comparing himself to McNamara, and comparing the US bombing a few fishing (or whatever) boats to the Vietnam War.
RazorbackExpat
(810 posts)in which Congress essentially left it up to the President to determine how far American involvement in the conflict would go. And remember, there were two Viet Nams at the time. The Tonkin Gulf Resolution was directed at North Viet Nam.
allegorical oracle
(6,074 posts)that phrase means. He stated that there was a lot of fire and smoke after one of the boat strikes -- it was hard to see anything. "And that's why they call it the fog of war," he said. He appears to be taking "fog" literally. My understanding is that it's a state of situational unawareness that occurs during the chaos of battle.
erronis
(22,195 posts)Surprised the supposed teetotaler (but apparently drug addicted) CINC would want someone like that under his 'command'.
chowder66
(11,649 posts)LymphocyteLover
(9,171 posts)Rhiannon12866
(247,955 posts)Mike Nelson
(10,870 posts)... should be miles above "the fog of war" in decision-making.
Baitball Blogger
(51,555 posts)In Hegseth's place, it was more bloodlust than fog of war.
patphil
(8,565 posts)Blowing up some small boats in international waters just because they can doesn't qualify for a "fog of war" condition.
This asshole's drunk on power.
AverageOldGuy
(3,215 posts)His goddam brain was fogged up on booze.
Hogsbreath is a former National Guard infantry officer. However, he NEVER EVEN ENROLLED IN OR REQUESTED TO BE ENROLLED IN SOME COURSES THAT ALL/MOST INFANTRY OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS COMPLETE.
-- Ranger -- some of the toughest and best small infantry unit training in the world
-- Airborne -- learn how to jump out of airplanes. And land safely.
-- Air Assault -- helicopter operations in combat
-- Pathfinder -- small unit goes in first, clears the way for follow-on small units
I completed all but Pathfinder, never figured I needed it. Active duty 1967-1995, Vietnam 1969-70.
COL Mustard
(7,878 posts)Average guys don't complete Ranger, Airborne and Air Assault.
I did Air Assault back when there was only one, but I work now with guys who have done all four, and a few who've done some others as well (SF, diver, etc.). And one guy who was a Tomb guard in the 3rd Infantry.
Prairie Gates
(6,943 posts)sakabatou
(45,594 posts)Native
(7,282 posts)this should be very interesting.
Buddyzbuddy
(1,971 posts)LudwigPastorius
(13,924 posts)Criminals!
Exp
(719 posts)sheshe2
(95,143 posts)More like a "Fog of Alcohol"... he was drunk out of his mind
Warpy
(114,298 posts)He knew there were survivors clinging to wreckage. My guess is that Demented Donny said to kill them all and Hedseth said yes sir and told the loyal admiral to give the order to shoot.
TomSlick
(12,831 posts)Of course, he is lying.
Commanders up and down the chain need to take note that Hegseth will turn on them if they obey his illegal orders.
Harker
(17,202 posts)Swede
(38,039 posts)BumRushDaShow
(164,134 posts)Figured that was Kegsbreath in a mask.
eppur_se_muova
(40,630 posts)COL Mustard
(7,878 posts)I hope the crew put the little guy outside after he slept it off.
On further consideration, I hope they put him outside before he woke up. Raccoons can be mean-tempered when they're sober. I don't want to encounter a drunk one, or one with a hangover!
Jack Valentino
(4,124 posts)BradBo
(862 posts)Aussie105
(7,480 posts)Describes what some soldiers experience and do in the heat of battle.
An ill considered, impulsive move.
They make decisions the rest of us can't comprehend.
This wasn't it.
This was orders from above . . . No Witnesses!
COL Mustard
(7,878 posts)You may get under it at Gate 6.
You used to have a distinguished career. Now it looks like you should have been on that boat, or at least been boat-adjacent.
Remember, Everything Trump Touches, Dies.
enigmania
(393 posts)"The Fog of Illegal Strikes on Civilians".