A majority of Americans are calling on President Donald Trump to fire Secretary of War Pete Hegseth following explosive allegations that a September strike against a Venezuelan drug boat may have violated international rules of combat.
The new Daily Mail JL Partners poll shows that 54% of voters believe Hegseth should be kicked out of Trump’s cabinet. When undecided voters were pushed to choose, the number surged to 63%.
The pressure directly targets Trump, who built his career around the phrase “You’re fired.” Voters now want him to deliver on his own slogan.
Hegseth has faced mounting criticism for authorizing two strikes on a narco vessel in the Caribbean Sea. The first attack destroyed the boat and killed most of those aboard. The second strike killed two injured survivors who were clinging to the wreckage, prompting war crime accusations.
The controversy exploded after the second strike became public earlier this week. Critics argue the survivors were hors de combat, meaning out of action due to injury and legally protected under multiple international frameworks, including the Geneva Conventions.
Despite the uproar, nearly half of voters still support U.S. anti-narcoterror operations. Many Americans back stronger action against drug trafficking and cartel activity in the region.
But the same voters also want accountability for the second strike. A majority believes someone needs to answer for the killing of wounded targets who no longer posed a threat.
Republicans are holding the line. Three-fourths of GOP voters still back Hegseth and believe he should stay in office. Democrats overwhelmingly want him removed, showing a deep partisan divide over accountability and wartime policy.
The White House argues that all operations have complied with domestic and international law. Officials insist that the administration has not violated the laws of armed conflict, according to the Daily Mail.
Trump has publicly defended Hegseth’s leadership.
However, the administration has shifted blame toward the on-scene commander, Admiral Frank Bradley. Officials say Bradley authorized the second strike independently. Bradley testified to Congress that he made the call due to a perceived ongoing threat.
Hegseth said he never ordered anyone to “kill everybody.” He acknowledged approving a contingency for a follow-up strike but denied issuing any directive requiring the elimination of survivors.
Trump has distanced himself slightly from the decision. He said he “wouldn’t have wanted that” but added that he trusts Hegseth and Bradley to make battlefield choices.
At the same time, Trump has signaled he may escalate action further against Venezuela and dictator Nicolás Maduro. The president has indicated that U.S. land strikes could be next.
The political situation now places Trump in a difficult position. Fire Hegseth and he validates the accusations. Keep him, and he inherits full responsibility for the second strike.
