Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers
Source: The Wall Street Journal.
exclusive * National Security
Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers
Commander of September attack to provide account of his role for the first time in closed briefing
By Shelby Holliday and Alexander Ward
Dec. 3, 2025 8:04 pm ET
WASHINGTON--Two survivors of a Sept. 2 U.S. strike on a boat in the Caribbean were killed in follow-up attacks after they were seen still aboard the damaged vessel alongside packages of illegal narcotics, a senior commander is expected to tell lawmakers Thursday.
Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley plans to say he and his legal adviser concluded the two survivors were attempting to continue their drug run, making them and the already-damaged vessel legitimate targets for another attack, two defense officials said.
{paywall}
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/shelby-holliday
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/alexander-ward
Read more: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/survivors-of-boat-strike-were-actively-continuing-drug-mission-admiral-to-tell-lawmakers-b82f0ab3
Hat tip, Ken White ("Popehat"
If after we blow your boat up you still float, you are a witch, so we can kill you. If you drown you are not a witch.
— Fat, Illiterate And Violent Hat (@kenwhite.bsky.social) 2025-12-04T02:39:31.603Z
******
Popehat of Serious Proportion
@kenwhite.bsky.social
If after we blow your boat up you still float, you are a witch, so we can kill you. If you drown you are not a witch.
Kai Ryssdal
@kairyssdal.bsky.social
· 8h
Hoooooooo boy
https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/survivors-of-boat-strike-were-actively-continuing-drug-mission-admiral-to-tell-lawmakers-b82f0ab3
Exclusive Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers
Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, the commander of the September attack, is set to provide an account of his role for the first time in a closed briefing.
www.wsj.com
Dec 3, 2025, 9:39 PM
******
Hoooooooo boy
— Kai Ryssdal (@kairyssdal.bsky.social) 2025-12-04T02:11:23.207Z
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
******
Kai Ryssdal
@kairyssdal.bsky.social
Hoooooooo boy
https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/survivors-of-boat-strike-were-actively-continuing-drug-mission-admiral-to-tell-lawmakers-b82f0ab3
Exclusive Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers
Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, the commander of the September attack, is set to provide an account of his role for the first time in a closed briefing.
www.wsj.com
Dec 3, 2025, 9:11 PM
******
mobeau69
(12,200 posts)
continue their drug run.
LMAO
Buddyzbuddy
(1,989 posts)stopped to secure the drugs (not in evidence) find some oars and started paddling to their destination?
Yeah, nice try.
NotHardly
(2,403 posts)Buddyzbuddy
(1,989 posts)mahatmakanejeeves
(67,779 posts)Reposted by Popehat of Serious Proportion
https://bsky.app/profile/kenwhite.bsky.social
@rgoodlaw.bsky.social
The USG has a new explanation on why they (now admittedly) intentionally killed 2 shipwrecked men. It does not pass the laws-of-war smell test
Worse for Hegseth, NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved contingency plans for what to do if an initial strike left survivors."
1/🧵
U.S. Militarys Boat Strikes Planning Takes On New Significance
www.nytimes.com
Dec 3, 2025, 9:25 PM
The USG has a new explanation on why they (now admittedly) intentionally killed 2 shipwrecked men. It does not pass the laws-of-war smell test
— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw.bsky.social) 2025-12-04T02:25:08.582Z
Worse for Hegseth, NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved contingency plans for what to do if an initial strike left survivors."
1/ð§µ
TubbersUK
(1,504 posts)Because he's going to experience a great deal of it if he goes with that defence.
sinkingfeeling
(56,941 posts)wreckage"?
Seinan Sensei
(1,288 posts)and dogpaddle 1600 miles to deliver drugs
BidenRocks
(2,607 posts)as a floatation device makes sense.
The interpretation is insanely absurd!
We spent 100K on a missile to kill two humans.
We could drop an iron BDU (bomb dummy unit, no bang), and sink the boat.
The explosions are ego, not effectiveness or cost benefit.
exboyfil
(18,327 posts)Sounds like a cop excuse to me.
BradBo
(870 posts)2naSalit
(99,334 posts)
liberalgunwilltravel
(1,029 posts)Court-Martial. It would be better to describe the underside of the bus and detail how and why you got there, rather than further destroy your reputation with such an absurd defense.
Ray Bruns
(5,872 posts)Javaman
(64,985 posts)Marthe48
(22,485 posts)orangecrush
(27,817 posts)babylonsister
(172,518 posts)today, I have no such sentiments. CYA all the way. His story makes no sense considering there was hardly any boat left.
Ray Bruns
(5,872 posts)Fascists always do.
VTderry
(70 posts)is not a capital offense in the first place!!
Seinan Sensei
(1,288 posts)Last edited Thu Dec 4, 2025, 10:12 PM - Edit history (1)
He looks like he saw the.Ghost of Christmas Future
The only question is - will he be charged with a war crime, or will he be charged with murder?
BootinUp
(50,693 posts)ashredux
(2,828 posts)Ill let it go for a good price
Their stories get more bizarre as time goes on.
infullview
(1,101 posts)There are no witnesses, no physical evidence, just their story. I hope they make it a good one to tell at their war crimes trial
travelingthrulife
(4,056 posts)Someone needs to get their stories before these guys have them killed.
70sEraVet
(5,179 posts)The second strike was to remove a navigation hazard to other vessels.
Now, it's that they were worried that the survivors would be able to continue their drug run?
First the wreckage was a 'navigational hazard' that had to be removed, but now it was a boat that was capable of continuing its mission and had to be destroyed again?
Katinfl
(579 posts)What a way to end your career. CYA for these idiots. The way I see it, several people carried out these illegal orders. Whoever actually pulled the trigger is also to blame. This is one hell of a mess.
Random Boomer
(4,374 posts)His name will always be associated with a war crime and the corrupt administration that used a "Get out of jail free" card for murder.
dickthegrouch
(4,216 posts)AverageOldGuy
(3,227 posts)How did you know what was in the "packages?"
And while you are at it, tell us how our weapons are not sufficiently powerful to destroy a 35-foot cigarette boat and everything in and around it?
Prairie Gates
(6,966 posts)Emile
(39,723 posts)it was worth it.
GCG
(13 posts)He plans to spin a yarn that makes Muppets Treasure Island look like a documentary.
If the Admiral lies, and it appears that's exactly what he's going to do...then he is complicit in the murder of two men and is no better than Trump or Hegseth!!!
NBachers
(19,098 posts)dickthegrouch
(4,216 posts)They were trying to enlist narwhals to act as their engines and tow them to the US coast.
travelingthrulife
(4,056 posts)Ray Bruns
(5,872 posts)orangecrush
(27,817 posts)bluestarone
(20,931 posts)Admirals, or generals do they own?
doc03
(38,718 posts)of unlawful orders and Kegseth?
Deminpenn
(17,222 posts)nt
doc03
(38,718 posts)are going to make the Democrats are against the military claim again. Oliver North
gab13by13
(30,876 posts)The remaining 2 people are still shipwrecked people.
Emile
(39,723 posts)gab13by13
(30,876 posts)is about to get a promotion.
Everyone in the chain of command, from Krasnov to the person who pulled the trigger is guilty of murder.
Even if this lie were true and there were 2 men left with some cocaine left and a partially disabled boat left, killing them is still murder.
Also, let's not be gaslit, the other 9 people on the boat were also murdered.
twodogsbarking
(17,166 posts)Norrrm
(3,662 posts)..
CanonRay
(15,863 posts)Swimming while pushing cocaine bundles with their noses?
mahatmakanejeeves
(67,779 posts)Follow the latest news on President Donald Trump and his administration | December 4, 2025
Edited By BRIDGET BROWN, BERNARD MCGHEE and CURTIS YEE
Updated 10:41 AM EST, December 4, 2025
The Navy admiral who reportedly issued orders for the U.S. military to fire upon survivors of an attack on an alleged drug boat is on Capitol Hill for a classified briefing with top congressional lawmakers overseeing national security.
The information from Adm. Frank Mitch Bradley, who is now the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, comes at a potentially crucial moment in the unfolding congressional investigation into how Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth handled the military operation in international waters near Venezuela. There are mounting questions over whether the strike may have violated the law.
The briefing in secure facility at the Capitol is with congressional leaders, including the Republican chairs and ranking Democrats of the House and Senate Armed Services committees, and separately to the GOP chairman and Democratic vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
{snip}
VTderry
(70 posts)is not "briefs" and rhymes with "ballpits."
Borogove
(406 posts)returnee
(777 posts)This is shameless, exceedingly condescending, and, need it actually be said, an outright self-serving concocted lie. Can this possibly hold up to any honest scrutiny?
Nigrum Cattus
(1,147 posts)what were they suppose to do swim 50 miles with
blown up cocaine on their backs ?
If any American admiral says that to congress they
need to resign the next day
cloudbase
(6,119 posts)He can start with "once upon a time" or "this ain't no shit."
BidenRocks
(2,607 posts)Now this ain't no shit!
You know you're in for a whopper!
patphil
(8,579 posts)Not only does their death violate the UCMJ, but also international law.
BComplex
(9,697 posts)He's going to (metaphorically) hang for his association with this fiasco. Right wingers are so dumb.
Mysterian
(6,108 posts)Who will be held accountable for his crimes.
MustLoveBeagles
(14,233 posts)They were just trying to survive at that point.
twodogsbarking
(17,166 posts)Sneederbunk
(17,091 posts)struggle4progress
(125,265 posts)SayItLoud
(1,771 posts)Of course he's going to cover his ass.
flashman13
(1,863 posts)We all know how drug agents love to stack tableshigh with bricks of seized drugs. Call me naive, but show me the goods before you tell me your fairy tale.
orangecrush
(27,817 posts)summer_in_TX
(3,965 posts)Those boats were headed to the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) off the coast of Venezuela. Guess what? Those islands are Dutch-owned. Drugs going there are destined for Europe, not the U.S.
Drugs from Colombia destined for the U.S. go to the Yucatán, then through Mexico to the U.S.
Nor do they make it clear that the boats are Columbian, not Venezuelan. They're quite content encouraging murkiness about the whole operation. How many Americans have any idea of that?
But blowing up of the boats are very clearly direct intimidation of the Venezuelan government.
The two survivors were Columbian. The family that filed the human rights complaint are also Columbian.
The whole justification the Trump administration is using for these attacks is another filthy lie.
What do they want? Oil and gas of course. Plus Maduro gone. Trump's earlier failure to get rid of him is bound to be galling.
Retrograde
(11,359 posts)Their workplace - the boat - gets blown up, most of their colleagues are killed, they're adrift in the Caribbean miles from shore, they may be injured themselves, and still they carry on with their nefarious mission. And here American workers complain about having to work 60 hour weeks with no overtime and dwindling safety measures, the whiners.
LetMyPeopleVote
(173,551 posts)pecosbob
(8,271 posts)Happy Hoosier
(9,334 posts)This asshole needs to face justice.
IbogaProject
(5,486 posts)On top of due process issues. Those men are still leagally innocent until at least charged via credible evidence. And now it is too late to charge, as that "mission" surley wasnt under the auspices if warrent or similar legal declaration
SusieCreamcheese
(20 posts)Venezuela does not produce Fentanyl, nor is it a transit country for Fentanyl. Let's start right THERE. With THAT lie.
Deminpenn
(17,222 posts)nt
GiqueCee
(3,142 posts)... no one is going to "continue their drug run" when the boat is already blown to smithereens. What did President Sleazebag have on you that made you to agree to take the fall for an incompetent, drunken shitweasel with a neo-Nazi tattoo on his right tit?
Marcuse
(8,743 posts)
BidenRocks
(2,607 posts)I do Seppuku and my second chops before I dishonor my death by jerking and other stuff.
Dishonorable death is the opposite.
Marcuse
(8,743 posts)Bayard
(28,127 posts)We are supposed to believe that a couple of guys, who were just blown up and clinging to wreckage, are planning on paddling on to the U.S. with their cargo (probably fish.) How do they keep a straight face when they're saying this?
GiqueCee
(3,142 posts)... he threatens people with bodily harm to them and/or their loved ones. It is stochastic terrorism; the malignant filth that still worship his fat, pimply ass will do the wetwork because he's too old, weak, and cowardly to do it himself. His victims never know when, where, or by whom they might be attacked, which multiplies the terror aspect exponentially.
His lies no longer protect him, and he knows it, but because he's always doubled down, he'll continue to escalate his malice until he resorts to brazen mass murder. HINT: There's a very real possibility that he's on the brink of that monstrous crime even as we speak. The evidence is there for all to see, and we can't turn away because it's everywhere.
Watch your six.