Post Reports – Pete Hegseth said to kill everybody, officials say

Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Colby Itkowitz
Guest: Alex Horton, National Security Reporter

Episode Overview

This episode of Post Reports delves into an explosive Washington Post investigation revealing that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly gave a “kill them all” order before a U.S. military strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean. Host Colby Itkowitz and reporter Alex Horton discuss the origin, execution, and unprecedented secrecy of these operations, as well as the profound legal and political implications. The episode also explores how even Republican allies are unsettled, the blurred lines between warfare and law enforcement, and what this escalation toward Venezuela may portend.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: The Kill Order and Its Context

• Mission: In September, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered the complete annihilation (“kill them all”) of a boat suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean — marking a shift from interdiction and arrest (the Coast Guard’s role) to deadly military force.
• Escalation: “[Starting on September 2] ...that mission turned into a much more deadly and much more kinetic option for the Pentagon.” — Alex Horton [01:22]

2. Operation Specifics: Surveillance & Strikes

• SEAL Team 6 Involvement: The operation relied on secretive military units, notably SEAL Team 6, with intelligence tracking suspect vessels. Only after determining the boat was not a civilian vessel did they initiate a strike.
• Execution:
  • The U.S. launched a missile, destroying the boat and killing 11.
  • Two survivors were seen in the water; Admiral Bradley, channeling Hegseth’s directive, ordered a second missile strike, killing the survivors.
  • “The order that Joint Special Operations Commander Admiral Frank Bradley gave... was to strike again… to fulfill that original intent from Hegseth to kill everyone on that boat.” — Alex Horton [04:00]

3. Legality & Ethics of Lethal Force

• Laws of War & Maritime Law: Horton, drawing on his military experience, explains that while repeat strikes on land can meet some combatant criteria, the rules shift dramatically at sea.
  • “There is specific law of warfare guidelines when it comes to being shipwrecked...You're just fighting to survive.” — Alex Horton [05:40]
  • Survivors in the water are typically regarded as hors de combat under international law, not legitimate targets.
• Combatants vs. Criminals:
  • The administration’s labeling of traffickers as “narco-terrorists” serves to “unlock military authorities in the first place.” — Horton [08:56]
  • Most of those killed were low-level operators, not kingpins — “fishermen who are down on their luck...” [09:55]

4. A Secretive, Unprecedented Campaign

• Scope: The strike was just the first of at least 22 carried out in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in dozens of deaths.
• Secrecy:
  • SEAL Team 6’s involvement shields details from Congress and the public.
  • “[Using SEAL Team 6]... you are creating a de facto shroud that shields disclosure... not just from like the public and the media, but from the Hill.” — Alex Horton [13:20]

5. The Legal Debate: War Crime or Murder?

• “This amounts to an extrajudicial killing is the broad conclusion of all these scholars... This amounts to murder on the high seas.” — Alex Horton [16:05]
• Legal experts outside the administration say classifying these strikes as war crimes almost misses the point since these people are not lawful military targets; they are alleged criminals who should be arrested and prosecuted, not killed by the military.

6. Reactions from the Pentagon, White House, and Capitol Hill

• Pentagon: Denied the reporting but did not rebut specific facts, and Hegseth did not deny giving the order. [19:27]
• White House:
  • Trump expressed skepticism about the details, but White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt later confirmed much of the Post’s story, noting Admiral Bradley acted "well within his authority." [20:20]
• Congressional Response:
  • Even Trump-aligned Republicans are alarmed by the legal gray zone and lack of transparency.
  • Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio): “...if that occurred, that would be very serious. And I agree that that would be an illegal act.” [21:53]
  • Both Senate and House Armed Services Committees, led by Republicans, announced investigations into the strikes.

7. Broader Geopolitical Implications

• Toward Venezuela:
  • The administration increasingly links strikes to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, with substantial military assets moved to the region — raising questions about escalation toward outright conflict.
  • “There seems to be a connective tissue between these strikes... and Venezuela itself by saying they're sending drugs and violence to American shores.” — Alex Horton [23:37]
• Uncertain Future: U.S. deployments suggest a range of options are on the table, possibly moving toward direct action.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Hegseth’s Infamous Directive:
  • “And he says, kill them all. Kill them all.” — Colby Itkowitz recounting Pentagon officials [03:46]
• On the Second Strike:
  • “When Bradley ordered the second strike, he could have been thinking about, if my boss, Pete Hegseth, said to kill everyone, is there a tiny chance these guys could live to fight another day?...” — Alex Horton [07:10]
• Legal Experts’ Conclusion:
  • “This amounts to murder on the high seas is what they've concluded.” — Alex Horton [16:05]
• Congressional Alarm:
  • Rep. Mike Turner: “There are very serious concerns in Congress about the attacks on the so called drug boats down in the Caribbean and the Pacific and the legal justification that's been provided... There is an ongoing investigation.” [22:25]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Shift to Military Lethality: [01:20–02:48]
• SEAL Team 6 Operations Unpacked: [02:59–04:06]
• Second Strike on Survivors: [04:06–05:14]
• International Law & Shipwrecked Status: [05:31–08:24]
• Combatant vs. Criminal Distinctions: [08:24–10:25]
• Scope, Secrecy, and Congressional Oversight: [10:25–14:02, 13:11–13:57]
• Debate: War Crime vs. Murder: [14:59–16:47]
• Pentagon and White House Response: [19:21–20:55]
• Capitol Hill & GOP Reaction: [20:55–22:59]
• Implications for Venezuela: [22:59–25:13]

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a sober, investigative tone, blending measured legal analysis with illustrative, colloquial explanations. Both host and guest emphasize the gravity of the new reporting and display caution when assessing intentions or extrapolating next steps, especially regarding the secrecy and stakes of U.S. military conduct abroad.

Summary prepared for listeners who want crucial facts and context without listening to the entire episode.