The White House and the Pentagon are working diligently to distance themselves from the controversial military decision led by Hegseth, which some U.S. politicians have criticized as potentially constituting a war crime. Instead, they are attributing responsibility to the admiral who was directly in charge of the operation.

In a statement, the Pentagon chief acknowledged observing the initial strike but noted that he did not personally witness any survivors. He defended the subsequent attack, asserting that sinking the boat was the “correct decision to ultimately eliminate the threat.”

During a press conference, a spokesperson emphasized that the operations were conducted lawfully, adhering to both U.S. and international law, and fully complied with the law of armed conflict.

Wilson spoke to a friendly audience, with dozens of journalists who refused to sign a new restrictive Pentagon media policy earlier in the year barred from the event.