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Rand Paul Demands Pete Hegseth Testify Under Oath Over Deadly 'Double‑Tap' Strike

08:29 AM, 12/05/2025
Rand Paul Demands Pete Hegseth Testify Under Oath Over Deadly 'Double‑Tap' Strike

Sen. Rand Paul has demanded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testify under oath about the orders leading up to a deadly "double‑tap" strike on survivors of an alleged drug‑smuggling boat in early September. Paul made the request after a Capitol Hill briefing with Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley and Gen. Dan Cain, pressing for the release of video evidence and a full, sworn account. He also criticized conflicting statements from Hegseth’s office about a second strike, saying the inconsistency raises questions about accountability. The episode has intensified congressional scrutiny of the administration’s maritime rules of engagement and treatment of civilian survivors.

Sen. Rand Paul Calls for Oath-Bound Testimony After Lethal Strike on Survivors

Senator Rand Paul (R‑Ky.) has urged that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth be compelled to testify under oath about the specific orders given before a deadly "double‑tap" strike that struck survivors of an alleged drug‑smuggling vessel in early September.

Paul made the request to reporters on Capitol Hill after attending a briefing led by Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley and General Dan Cain, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The senator said lawmakers and the public deserve a clear, sworn accounting of who authorized the strikes and why survivors in the water were targeted.

Paul has been one of the most outspoken critics of the administration’s use of lethal force against suspected smuggling vessels operating in the Caribbean Sea. Critics — including Paul — argue that bombing distressed, shipwrecked or incapacitated people may violate both U.S. and international law, and some have described the action as tantamount to war crimes.

“I think he should testify under oath about the orders that were given, and I think that the video of the distressed, shipwrecked or incapacitated people on those boats being bombed — that video should be shown to every American,” Paul told reporters.

Paul also challenged inconsistent statements from Secretary Hegseth’s office about a reported second strike. He pointed to an initial statement issued on Sunday that denied knowledge of a second strike and labeled reports "fake news," followed by a White House acknowledgement the next day that the second strike had occurred. "So either he was lying to us on Sunday or he’s incompetent and didn’t know what had happened," Paul said, questioning whether the defense secretary could plausibly have been unaware of such an operation.

Paul’s demand for sworn testimony and release of the video underscores mounting congressional scrutiny over the administration’s rules of engagement for suspected smuggling vessels and the treatment of civilian survivors in maritime operations. Lawmakers may pursue hearings or further oversight to determine accountability and to assess whether policy or command decisions violated legal and ethical standards.

Context: The incident has prompted bipartisan concern among some members of Congress and human rights advocates about the use of force at sea, the protection of noncombatants, and the transparency of senior defense officials’ public statements.

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