The White House ignited a firestorm within the Pentagon this week after publicly identifying the military officer who ordered a controversial second missile strike on a Venezuelan drug vessel, leaving defense insiders accusing leadership of abandoning frontline commanders.
Admiral Frank Mitchell Bradley found himself at the center of a growing controversy Monday when the White House named him as the officer responsible for ordering the second strike during a Sept. 2 operation in the Caribbean.
The identification has sparked accusations that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is deflecting blame onto military personnel.
The September operation targeted a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in international waters.
The initial missile strike set the boat ablaze, killing all but two individuals on board.
A second strike reportedly eliminated the remaining survivors as they clung to debris in the water.
Military insiders reacted with fury to the White House statement.
One official characterized the move as protection tactics for Hegseth, while another accused the administration of abandoning service members, according to the Washington Post.
Hegseth issued a statement defending Bradley on social media, calling him “an American hero” and “a true professional” with his complete support.
The secretary said he stood by Bradley and “the combat decisions he has made” during the September 2 mission and others. However, critics interpreted Hegseth’s comments as an attempt to shift responsibility.
At the time of the strikes, Bradley served as head of Joint Special Operations Command. He now commands the United States Special Operations Command. Military sources indicate Bradley watched the operation unfold via live drone feed.
According to reports, Bradley ordered the second strike after observing two survivors in the water.
The admiral allegedly viewed the survivors as potential threats who could alert other traffickers to recover the cargo.
Sources claim Bradley acted to comply with verbal orders to leave no survivors.
The strikes resulted in 11 deaths total.
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have committed to investigating the circumstances surrounding the operation and whether it violated international humanitarian law.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt added another layer to the controversy Monday by stating that Hegseth had authorized Bradley to conduct the strikes.
She said Bradley “worked well within his authority and the law” while directing the engagement.
Leavitt defended the operation as self-defense to protect American interests.
She emphasized the strike occurred in international waters, complied with the law of armed conflict, and targeted individuals the administration has designated as foreign terrorists.
President Trump addressed the controversy Sunday after the Post reported that Hegseth issued a verbal order for all crew members to be killed during the September 2 attack.
Two sources with direct knowledge told the newspaper the order was explicit.
Trump initially backed his defense secretary, saying Hegseth denied making such an order.
When pressed about whether he would approve if Hegseth had given such a command, the president deflected, stating he did not need to make that decision since Hegseth denied it.
Trump, however, also indicated the administration would investigate the matter.
He stated he would not have wanted a second strike to occur, adding a note of concern to his defense of Hegseth.
