Arizona Senator Raises Alarms Over Caribbean Strike

Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot, has expressed serious doubts about a recent U. S. military strike in the Caribbean. He believes it might have crossed a legal line. The strike, which targeted suspected drug boats, involved a controversial tactic known as a double-tap strike. This means hitting the same target twice, with the second strike often aimed at survivors. Kelly's concerns stem from a report that suggested the strike was ordered by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The report claimed that Hegseth gave a chilling order: "kill them all. " Kelly, who has a deep respect for the military, hopes the report is not accurate. He believes such actions could undermine the trust and reverence the public has for the U. S. Navy. Kelly's stance on this issue is not new. He has previously clashed with the Trump administration over military orders. In a video, he reminded service members that they have the right to refuse unlawful orders. On a recent Sunday talk show, Kelly stated that he would have refused an order to strike survivors in the water. He believes targeting survivors is clearly against the law. Hegseth, however, denies the report. He calls it "fake news" and accuses the media of trying to discredit the military. He insists that all operations in the Caribbean are lawful and comply with both U. S. and international law. Hegseth also claims that every action is approved by legal experts up and down the chain of command. Kelly, on the other hand, has publicly criticized Hegseth. He called him the "least qualified" person to ever hold the position of Secretary of Defense. This ongoing debate raises important questions about military conduct and the importance of following international laws, even in the fight against drug trafficking.