Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is “satisfied” with the briefings he’s received from the Pentagon regarding the boat strike operations and has come to the conclusion that the military has not carried out war crimes.
The U.S. military has carried out lethal strikes on 26 purported drug boats in the Caribbean Sea or Eastern Pacific Ocean, killing 99 people since the start of September, including multiple this week. This more aggressive approach to stopping the illicit drug trade has been met with legal questions and bipartisan skepticism on Capitol Hill.
“After participating in the various briefings provided by the administration, I am confident that the strikes that have taken place thus far against narco-terrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of operations were conducted based on sound legal advice,” Wicker said in a statement on Thursday.
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One of the strikes that has garnered the most scrutiny was the first operation, which occurred on September 2. U.S. forces targeted the vessel and, upon realizing two survivors were clinging to the wreckage, carried out three additional strikes.
Lawmakers have requested briefings and to see the unedited video of that operation.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed lawmakers behind closed doors earlier this week. Following the closed-door hearing, Hegseth said the department would not be publicly releasing the unedited video, even though the department routinely releases about 30-second clips of each strike.
“When reports first surfaced about a secondary strike, my office immediately directed inquiries to the department to ascertain the veracity of these reports,” the Mississippi senator said. “I promised that SASC would take this matter seriously and conduct thorough oversight. We have done so. Both military and civilian Pentagon leaders have worked in good faith to provide answers to us without any delays. Today, I am satisfied with all the information I have received on this matter.”
Admiral Frank Bradley, a four-star officer, ordered the subsequent Sept. 2 military strikes, which Hegseth was not informed of until after they occurred. Bradley has also appeared on Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers. Democrats said that Bradley seemed to be open to releasing an edited but more complete version of the strikes to avoid the risks associated with sharing the completely unedited video.
“I have seen no evidence of war crimes,” he added.
Wicker’s satisfaction is significant given his role as the chairman of the committee that oversees the military. Over the course of Trump’s first year in office, Wicker has adeptly navigated trying to meaningfully provide oversight of the department while staying in the president’s good graces.
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His democrat counterpart, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), told reporters earlier this month at a Defense Writers Group event that he would like to see congressional hearings regarding the strikes.
Earlier this month, House Armed Services Committee Chairman, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), said he “got all the answers I needed,” and that he is ready to move forward.
