Pete Hegseth on Venezuela Boat Strike and 'Fog of War'

Responsibility for the Venezuela Strike

• 🎯 Pete Hegseth took responsibility for the initial strike on a Venezuelan drug boat on September 2nd, after reviewing intelligence and making the call.
• 💡 He watched the first strike live but moved on to his next meeting, not witnessing the immediate aftermath.

Learning of the Second Strike

• 📌 Hours later, Hegseth learned that the commander had made the decision to sink the boat and eliminate the threat, a decision Hegseth supported.
• ✅ He stated that the commander had the complete authority to make this call, and it was the correct decision.

Eliminating Threats and National Security

• 🚀 Hegseth emphasized that sinking the boat and eliminating the threat makes American people safer by deterring narco-terrorists.
• ⚠️ He asserted that they will continue to eliminate such threats from the water and land.

The 'Fog of War'

• 🌫️ Hegseth described the situation as the 'fog of war', explaining that explosions, fire, and smoke obscured visibility, preventing him from seeing survivors.
• 💬 He criticized politicians and the press for nitpicking and spreading misinformation based on anonymous sources, without understanding the realities faced by warfighters.
• 📚 He mentioned writing a book on the topic due to the treatment of warfighters by politicians and the press.