In a recent defense of military actions, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the complexities of decision-making in combat situations, particularly regarding a controversial follow-up strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea earlier this year. Hegseth cited the “fog of war” as a significant factor influencing the decision to proceed with the second strike on a boat suspected of drug smuggling.

During a cabinet meeting at the White House on Tuesday, Hegseth elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the September strike. He explained that when the subsequent strike was authorized, he was unaware of survivors in the water since “the thing was on fire,” justifying the decision under the challenging conditions of warfare.

Hegseth admitted he did not remain on-site for the mission’s completion following the initial strike. He emphasized that the admiral in charge had the autonomy to make the decision, which he believed was the correct call under the circumstances.

Reports from The Washington Post highlighted that Hegseth had verbally sanctioned the second strike, which tragically resulted in fatalities among survivors aboard the vessel. The White House, however, supported Navy Vice Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley’s actions, declaring they were “within his authority and the law.”

The incident has prompted lawmakers to initiate congressional reviews of U.S. military actions targeting suspected drug-smuggling boats. Vice Adm. Bradley is scheduled to deliver a classified briefing to military oversight lawmakers on Thursday. When questioned about his stance on the September strike, President Donald Trump stated he was not fully briefed on the details, relying on Secretary Hegseth for information.

Hegseth, speaking at President Donald Trump’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday, said that “we’ve only just begun” striking alleged drug boats, saying they will be put “at the bottom of the ocean.”

“We’ve only just begun striking narco-boats and putting narcoterrorists at the bottom of the ocean because they’ve been poisoning the American people,” Hegseth said.

The White House acknowledges that a second strike was ordered on a boat already hit by the military in the Caribbean Sea, and ABC News has confirmed that survivors from the initial strike were killed as a result.

Experts in the military code say this was clearly illegal, but The White House said Monday that Navy Vice Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley ordered the second strike and was “within his authority and the law.”

The military operation has come under bipartisan scrutiny from lawmakers after The Washington Post reported that that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order for a second strike that killed two survivors on the boat.

Trump vigorously defended Hegseth on Sunday. “Pete said he did not order the death of those two men,” Trump said. “And I believe him.” Bradley is expected to provide a classified briefing Thursday to lawmakers overseeing the military.

The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.