U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is currently under significant scrutiny due to allegations of war crimes linked to military operations in the Caribbean, as well as a report from the Department of Defense's inspector general accusing him of mishandling classified military intelligence. Despite bipartisan calls for his resignation, Hegseth remains in his position, supported by former President Donald Trump.

The controversies primarily stem from two incidents. The first involves a military operation targeting suspected drug smugglers, which has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 87 individuals since September. Critics, including lawmakers and policy experts, have raised concerns about the legality and ethical implications of these strikes, particularly after it was revealed that survivors of an initial attack were killed in a subsequent strike. Hegseth initially dismissed these reports but later acknowledged the basic facts during a cabinet meeting, attributing his actions to the complexities of wartime decision-making.

Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat, has called for Hegseth's dismissal, stating that his actions pose risks to U.S. servicemembers and undermine the integrity of the Pentagon. The New Democrat Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats, has also criticized Hegseth, labeling him as incompetent and a threat to military personnel.

The strategic rationale behind the Caribbean campaign has been questioned by former officials, who argue that military resources should be focused on primary drug trafficking routes, particularly those from Mexico, rather than operations far from the main sources of fentanyl trafficking. Emily Tripp, executive director of Airwars, a civilian harm monitoring organization, has called for greater transparency regarding the military's decision-making processes in these operations.

In addition to the Caribbean operations, an inspector general report found that Hegseth violated Pentagon policies by sharing sensitive information about airstrikes in Yemen via an unclassified messaging app. This breach of protocol raised concerns about operational security and the potential risks to U.S. personnel involved in these missions.

Despite the mounting evidence against him, Hegseth has publicly claimed vindication, asserting that no classified information was shared. Some Republican lawmakers have also expressed concerns about his leadership, with Senator Rand Paul questioning Hegseth's honesty regarding the September attack.

Hegseth's tenure has been characterized by internal dysfunction within the Pentagon, with reports of a chaotic atmosphere and leaks among staff. Nevertheless, Trump has continued to express confidence in Hegseth, and with the Republican-controlled Senate, it appears unlikely that he will face significant repercussions for these controversies. The Trump administration has framed its military actions in the Caribbean as part of a broader conflict against drug cartels, although legal experts have challenged this justification, citing the lack of congressional authorization for such military actions.

Members of Congress have also viewed a classified video related to a controversial military operation involving a second strike on a boat, which resulted in the deaths of two men who were reportedly clinging to wreckage from a previous attack. Representative Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, described the video as deeply troubling, stating that it undermines Hegseth's narrative surrounding the operation. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the strike, particularly given the apparent discrepancies between the military's assessment and the visible condition of the individuals involved.

The broader context of this operation involves the Trump administration's classification of individuals involved in drug trafficking as 'narco-terrorists,' which has been criticized by legal experts who argue that such individuals should be subject to law enforcement rather than military action. The laws of war typically prohibit targeting individuals who are no longer actively engaged in combat, including those who are shipwrecked. The ongoing discussions highlight the complexities and potential legal ramifications of military operations conducted under the current administration's policies.