Washington Post Stands By 'Kill Them All' Report on Hegseth Despite Pentagon Denials

Washington Post Defends Reporting After Controversy Over Caribbean Boat Strike

The Washington Post is publicly reaffirming a Nov. 28 story that says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive to "kill them all" before a Sept. 2 strike on a vessel in the Caribbean alleged to be carrying drugs. The report — based on anonymous officials — has prompted intense scrutiny, denials from Pentagon officials and calls from lawmakers for further investigation.

What The Post Reported

The Post’s account described a missile fired off the coast of Trinidad that struck the vessel and set it ablaze. Commanders watching a live drone feed reportedly saw two survivors clinging to the wreck; the story said a Special Operations commander then ordered follow-up strikes and that the survivors were killed. The article cited two people with direct knowledge who said Hegseth gave a spoken directive to kill everyone aboard.

"The Washington Post is proud of its rigorous, accurate reporting," a spokesperson told Fox News Digital when asked to respond to criticism.

Official Denials And Testimony

In a closed-door congressional hearing, lawmakers said Adm. Mitch Bradley testified that no "kill them all" or "no quarter" order was issued by Hegseth. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell publicly called on the Post to retract the story, characterizing it as a "hoax" and saying the report insulted service members.

Hegseth has defended Admiral Bradley, calling him "an American hero" and saying he had left the room after the initial strike and did not witness any follow-up action personally. He criticized the media for what he called misunderstanding the "fog of war" and for relying on anonymous sourcing.

Additional Reporting Adds Nuance

Other outlets have published reporting that complicates the initial narrative. The New York Times reported that U.S. officials told it Hegseth ordered a lethal strike intended to kill those on the boat and destroy the vessel and its alleged cargo, but that the directive did not explicitly address what should happen if the first missile failed to accomplish those aims. The Times said Bradley ordered both the initial and subsequent strikes.

ABC News reported that a source familiar with the incident said the two survivors climbed back onto the boat after the initial strike and were thought to be communicating with others and salvaging contraband, which led commanders to view them as continuing to pose a threat; a JAG officer was said to have provided legal advice.

Political Fallout And Next Steps

Lawmakers from both parties have called for investigations into the strikes. Some members of Congress, including Sen. Rand Paul (R‑Ky.), have urged Hegseth to testify publicly. The dispute centers on differences in accounts from anonymous sources, the admiral’s closed-door testimony, and subsequent reporting that offers a more detailed operational timeline.

The Washington Post has declined to retract the story and referred reporters back to its earlier statement. With multiple, partially conflicting accounts now public, further oversight and potential declassification or testimony may be required to resolve the discrepancies surrounding the Sept. 2 mission.