Ask Me Help Desk - Knives out for Hegseth

The IG 's report on Hegseth's use of signal chat during an operation is damning.

But that is old news that confirms what we already knew

Now he is under attack because there was a 2nd strike on a drug boat that had survivors and presumably that is against some kind of rules of warfare that I am not quite familiar with .

He claims the call for the 2nd strike came from Adm. Frank Bradley .I trust the Admiral a lot more than Hegseth . He has a solid record as a Seal and the commander of the Joint Special Operations Command.

Now comes a report from ABC Martha Raddatz which confirms the second strike was warranted .

Quote:

MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC NEWS: So we've seen the video of the first strike, but that second strike video that the president said would be released will be key. And tonight, new information. According to a source familiar with the incident, the two survivors climbed back onto the boat after the initial strike.

They were believed to be potentially in communication with others and salvaging some of the drugs. Because of that, it was determined they were still in the fight and valid targets. A JAG officer was also giving legal advice. So again, David, that video will be key. And Admiral Bradley will be on the Hill tomorrow behind closed doors.

Raddatz: Survivors Of Boat Strike Tried To Salvage Drugs, Were In Communication With Supplier | Video | RealClearPolitics

Let's see if the rest of the compliant press changes their narrative.

Flashback 2012

U.S. Drone Strikes Are Said to Target Rescuers - The New York Times

It is called 'double tap' strikes and they were common practice during the emperor's reign against jihadistan in the borderlands of Pakistan. Civilians were frequently the victims .

Drones in Pakistan traumatise civilians, US report says - BBC News

Civilians..... not drug runners trying to salvage their cargo

Admiral Bradley testified behind closed doors yesterday. According to Senator Tom Cotton he testified that he was not given any orders by Hegseth to do a double tap follow up strike on the boat.
Admiral says there was no 'kill them all' order in drug boat attack | AP News

A senior commander making a difficult but informed choice with the orders, battlefield information and legal framework he had. It’s in America’s interest to give commanders latitude and to put mission success ahead of legal certitude, and reserve punishment only for willful offenders.

Hegseth’s Order and the Admiral - WSJ

But there is still thequestions about the legal basis for Trump's use of the war powers act against suspected drug smugglers.

I have been a critic of the 'War Powers Act' as it gives the President too much power to declare war. To call his use of it "extraordinary " in light of the example I cite above is a joke.

Whichever party is out of power accuses the President of abusing the Act. They are right.
Want another emperor example ? Libya . He attacked Libya for the purpose of regime change . Continued the war well past the provisions of the Act.

Quote:

In announcing war measures in Libya, he mentioned neither Congress nor the U.S. Constitution. He did not even return to Washington from a visit in South America to make the announcement. He acted as if war-making is a routine privilege a president may undertake entirely at his option, like shaving or adjusting his necktie, without even a wink or nod toward the people's branch of government.
Obama violated important requirements set forth in the War Powers Resolution, but Congress did nothing to prompt presidential compliance or protest his violations. To this day Congress has not authorized acts of war in Libya.

Obama's Abuse of War Powers

In waging undeclared war against drug smugglers ,Trump is following the precedence of President's Truman (Korea), and Bubba (Kosovo ) and the emperor .

This also doesn't let Hegseth off the hook. He has been washing his hands of the whole thing and giving responsibility to Admiral Bradley. That is very weak and shows the military that he doesn't have their backs when push comes to shove.