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Morning Joe Panel Warns Pete Hegseth Could Face 'Dangerous' Legal Peril Over Alleged 'Kill' Order

Morning Joe warned that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have exposed himself to significant legal risk by boasting about a SEAL Team 6 strike after reports claimed he ordered forces to "kill everybody" and survivors were later struck. Recent reporting says a September mission escalated when a drone spotted survivors and a second strike was carried out — unnamed officials said that could constitute a war crime. Hegseth denied the allegation on X, President Trump said he believed him, and both Armed Services Committees are now seeking more information.

09:26 PM, 12/01/2025Politics

MSNBC's Morning Joe panel warned that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have placed himself in serious legal jeopardy by publicly discussing a SEAL Team 6 strike on a suspected narco‑trafficking vessel after reports that he ordered forces to "kill everybody" aboard and that survivors were later struck in the water.

According to recent reporting, a September operation intended to disrupt Venezuelan drug routes escalated when a drone spotted two survivors clinging to wreckage; a second strike was reportedly carried out. Unnamed officials told reporters that such an action could amount to a war crime, and the same reporting indicated that nearly 20 similar operations have followed.

After the report surfaced, Hegseth posted a denial on X. President Donald Trump told reporters he believed Hegseth's denial.

Joe Scarborough cautioned that Hegseth's public posture could worsen his legal exposure: "Pete Hegseth, Republicans bragging about the kill strikes, killing everybody in the waters. Right now, it’s a dangerous time legally for Pete Hegseth." Scarborough added that any attempt to conceal evidence would only deepen the peril: "This genie is out of the bottle… the evidence is there and there’s no circling back."

Scarborough also criticized the Pentagon's recent restrictions on independent reporting and noted that investigators are now seeking details. He said both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees are gathering information about the mission and the orders given.

Co‑host Jonathan Lemire emphasized the potential seriousness of the allegations, drawing a historical parallel: he noted that wartime attacks on shipwrecked sailors have in the past led to convictions for war crimes. "That’s how serious this is," Lemire said. Co‑host Mika Brzezinski described the reported order as "rather trigger‑happy."

The situation has prompted heightened congressional and public scrutiny. As investigators and lawmakers seek additional details, the legal and political ramifications remain uncertain.

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