The Pentagon's inspector general is preparing to release a report concerning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the social media application Signal to discuss U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. Reports indicate that Hegseth may have endangered U.S. troops by sharing classified information with senior officials, including a journalist, during discussions about impending military actions against Yemen's Houthi government. The U.S. was poised to conduct strikes in response to Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Israel, which were part of the broader context of the Gaza conflict.

Legal experts have raised concerns about the legality of recent U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties. At least 80 individuals have been killed in these operations, prompting discussions about potential violations of international law. Hegseth's refusal to cooperate with the investigation, including declining to provide his phone for review, has drawn criticism regarding accountability within military leadership.

The investigation is seen as a critical form of oversight, particularly in light of the Republican leadership's historical reluctance to challenge the Trump administration's actions. The Senate Armed Services Committee, led by Senators Roger Wicker and Jack Reed, is expected to play a significant role in determining the response to the findings of the report.

Additionally, Admiral Mitch Bradley is scheduled to testify regarding the military's operations against what the Trump administration has labeled 'drug boats.' However, there has been a lack of evidence presented to substantiate these claims, raising ethical questions about the justification for such military actions. The targeting of these boats, which has resulted in fatalities among individuals not charged with any crime, has led to accusations of excessive force and potential war crimes.

On September 2, 2025, a video depicting a U.S. military strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea was shown to select members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate and House Armed Services committees. The footage, described as deeply disturbing by lawmakers, revealed a follow-up attack on individuals clinging to the wreckage of a destroyed boat, which had been previously reported as a drug smuggling operation.

Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, expressed his concern, stating that the video clearly depicted the U.S. military attacking individuals who were incapacitated and unable to defend themselves. He emphasized that the attack on these individuals, while labeled as 'bad guys,' raises significant ethical and legal questions regarding military engagement rules.

Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, also voiced his dismay after viewing the footage, calling for the complete release of the video and expressing concerns about the broader implications of U.S. military actions under the Trump Administration. He indicated that the Senate Armed Services Committee has repeatedly sought information regarding these operations, which has been denied.

The Pentagon has conducted 21 known attacks in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September, resulting in the destruction of 22 boats and the deaths of at least 83 civilians. Experts in international law have characterized these strikes as illegal extrajudicial killings, as military operations are not permitted to deliberately target civilians who do not pose an imminent threat. This approach contrasts with traditional law enforcement methods, which typically involve arrests rather than lethal force.

Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer, called for comprehensive oversight of the military's maritime operations, emphasizing the need to understand the legal justifications for these actions. He pointed out that the Pentagon's narrative of being at war with drug cartels does not align with established legal frameworks governing armed conflict.

The Pentagon maintains that all individuals targeted in these operations are classified as 'narcoterrorists,' a term that has been contested by lawmakers who argue that such classifications do not justify lethal action without due process. The Pentagon's Law of War Manual explicitly states that individuals incapacitated by wounds or other circumstances should not be targeted, underscoring the ethical implications of these military actions. As scrutiny of these operations continues, the need for accountability and adherence to legal standards in military engagements remains a pressing concern for lawmakers and human rights advocates alike.