The scenario could easily belong in the pages of a suspenseful novel. The Washington Post reports, relying on a single anonymous source, that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth allegedly commanded the execution of two drug traffickers who survived the sinking of their vessel. This event took place in the Caribbean on September 2, 2025, as the U.S. military shifted its approach from previous administrations’ “catch and release” strategy. Historically, authorities intercepted vessels, seized narcotics, and released smugglers. However, the current administration has adopted a more aggressive tactic, opting to destroy drug-running ships instead. For more context, see Shots Fired! The US Military Sinks a Venezuelan Drug Runner (Updated) – RedState.

This revelation follows closely on the heels of a controversial video released by six Democratic Senators and Congressmen, now dubbed the Seditious Six. The video appeared to advocate for military personnel to resist following what they deemed “unlawful” orders from President Trump.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a spoken directive, according to two people with direct knowledge of the operation. “The order was to kill everybody,” one of them said.

A missile screamed off the Trinidad coast, striking the vessel and igniting a blaze from bow to stern. For minutes, commanders watched the boat burning on a live drone feed. As the smoke cleared, they got a jolt: Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck.

The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack — the opening salvo in the Trump administration’s war on suspected drug traffickers in the Western Hemisphere — ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions, two people familiar with the matter said. The two men were blown apart in the water.

The story comes a week after six Democrat Senators and Congressmen, now known as the Seditious Six, posted a video that seemed to encourage members of the armed forces to defy “illegal” orders from President Trump.