Dem Congressman Adam Smith Questions Legality of US Boat Strike After Briefing

Disturbing Video of Boat Strike

• 💡 Congressman Adam Smith viewed the entire video of the September 2 U.S. strike on a boat, from identification to the second strike.
• ⚠️ The video showed two survivors on a capsized boat, with the decision made to strike them, which Smith found deeply disturbing.
• ❓ While the admiral explained the survivors were considered "in the fight," Smith has serious questions about this conclusion and calls for a deeper investigation.

Concerns Over "Return to the Fight" Definition

• 🎯 The admiral's explanation for the second strike hinged on the idea that the cocaine might still be on the boat, a notion Smith finds questionable given the boat was burning and capsized.
• ⚖️ Smith questions the broader definition of being "in the fight," where anyone shipping cocaine towards the U.S. could be considered a legitimate target for lethal force.
• 🚫 He argues this equates to the death penalty for drug dealing without due process, contrasting it with active combat situations where individuals are clearly "in the fight."

Legality and War Crimes

• 🔍 Smith states he is deeply concerned about the legality of the entire operation and the specific strike, emphasizing the need for further investigation for a possible war crime.
• ⚖️ He refrains from personally concluding it's a war crime, stating such determinations require thorough investigation and trials.

Guidance for Service Members and Leadership

• 📜 Smith advises service members to remember their responsibility to ensure given orders are lawful, referencing the UCMJ.
• ⚠️ He expresses concern over a Secretary of Defense who he believes has contempt for the law, creating a dangerous environment for service members.

Unclassified Messaging App Security Breach

• ❌ Smith refutes Secretary Hegseth's explanation regarding sharing planned strike details over Signal, stating Hegseth did release specific information about what, when, and who was hitting targets.
• 🚨 He criticizes Hegseth's lack of acknowledgment of wrongdoing and failure to fix his actions after a report indicated he unnecessarily put service members at risk.
• 🏛️ Smith plans to continue pressing for congressional oversight and accountability, including public hearings, to understand the justification for the mission and the specific strike.