Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: The Wall Street Journal.

exclusive * National Security

Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers

Commander of September attack to provide account of his role for the first time in closed briefing

By Shelby Holliday and Alexander Ward
Dec. 3, 2025 8:04 pm ET

WASHINGTON--Two survivors of a Sept. 2 U.S. strike on a boat in the Caribbean were killed in follow-up attacks after they were seen still aboard the damaged vessel alongside packages of illegal narcotics, a senior commander is expected to tell lawmakers Thursday.

Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley plans to say he and his legal adviser concluded the two survivors were attempting to continue their drug run, making them and the already-damaged vessel legitimate targets for another attack, two defense officials said.

{paywall}

https://www.wsj.com/news/author/shelby-holliday
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/alexander-ward

Read more: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/survivors-of-boat-strike-were-actively-continuing-drug-mission-admiral-to-tell-lawmakers-b82f0ab3

---

Hat tip, Ken White ("Popehat&quot

If after we blow your boat up you still float, you are a witch, so we can kill you. If you drown you are not a witch.

— Fat, Illiterate And Violent Hat (@kenwhite.bsky.social) 2025-12-04T02:39:31.603Z

******
Popehat of Serious Proportion
‪@kenwhite.bsky.social‬

If after we blow your boat up you still float, you are a witch, so we can kill you. If you drown you are not a witch.

‪Kai Ryssdal‬
‪@kairyssdal.bsky.social‬
· 8h
Hoooooooo boy

https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/survivors-of-boat-strike-were-actively-continuing-drug-mission-admiral-to-tell-lawmakers-b82f0ab3

Exclusive Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers
Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, the commander of the September attack, is set to provide an account of his role for the first time in a closed briefing.
www.wsj.com
Dec 3, 2025, 9:39 PM
******

Hoooooooo boy

www.wsj.com/politics/nat...

— Kai Ryssdal (@kairyssdal.bsky.social) 2025-12-04T02:11:23.207Z

******
Kai Ryssdal
‪@kairyssdal.bsky.social‬

Hoooooooo boy

https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/survivors-of-boat-strike-were-actively-continuing-drug-mission-admiral-to-tell-lawmakers-b82f0ab3

Exclusive Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers
Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, the commander of the September attack, is set to provide an account of his role for the first time in a closed briefing.
www.wsj.com
Dec 3, 2025, 9:11 PM
******

[mobeau69]

1. Frank Bradley's story is a dog and that dog won't hunt.

“…continue their drug run.”

LMAO

[Buddyzbuddy]

2. What! A missile just destroyed their vessel but they

stopped to secure the drugs (not in evidence) find some oars and started paddling to their destination?
Yeah, nice try.

[NotHardly]

73. He's a lying sack of sh*t

The only uniform he should be wearing is prison stripes

[Buddyzbuddy]

74. Agreed

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. The USG has a new explanation on why they (now admittedly) intentionally killed 2 shipwrecked men.

Reposted by Popehat of Serious Proportion
https://bsky.app/profile/kenwhite.bsky.social

‪Ryan Goodman
‪@rgoodlaw.bsky.social‬

The USG has a new explanation on why they (now admittedly) intentionally killed 2 shipwrecked men. It does not pass the laws-of-war smell test

Worse for Hegseth, NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved contingency plans for what to do if an initial strike left survivors."

1/🧵

U.S. Military’s Boat Strikes Planning Takes On New Significance
www.nytimes.com
Dec 3, 2025, 9:25 PM

The USG has a new explanation on why they (now admittedly) intentionally killed 2 shipwrecked men. It does not pass the laws-of-war smell test

Worse for Hegseth, NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved contingency plans for what to do if an initial strike left survivors."

1/🧵

— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw.bsky.social) 2025-12-04T02:25:08.582Z

[TubbersUK]

4. Good job for him ridicule isn't lethal

Because he's going to experience a great deal of it if he goes with that defence.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. What happened to the video where 'two survivors are seen clinging to the

wreckage"?

[Seinan Sensei]

62. Right. Hold onto the wreckage

and dogpaddle 1600 miles to deliver drugs

[BidenRocks]

69. Using a bale of (drugs)

as a floatation device makes sense.

The interpretation is insanely absurd!

We spent 100K on a missile to kill two humans.

We could drop an iron BDU (bomb dummy unit, no bang), and sink the boat.

The explosions are ego, not effectiveness or cost benefit.

[exboyfil]

6. He got that one from the cops

Sounds like a cop excuse to me.

[BradBo]

7. General Bradley's full of shit.

[2naSalit]

8. ...

[liberalgunwilltravel]

9. Try that defense at your

Court-Martial. It would be better to describe the underside of the bus and detail how and why you got there, rather than further destroy your reputation with such an absurd defense.

[Ray Bruns]

24. Didn't work at Nuremberg, not going to work now.

[Javaman]

10. yeah, cool story bro.

[Marthe48]

11. They watch too many cartoons

[orangecrush]

12. Quiet, Piggy

[babylonsister]

13. Yesterday I felt sorry for this guy for being their scapegoat;

today, I have no such sentiments. CYA all the way. His story makes no sense considering there was hardly any boat left.

[Ray Bruns]

25. They were going to find someone who would do what they wanted.

Fascists always do.

[VTderry]

41. It makes no sense because drug-trafficking

is not a capital offense in the first place!!

[Seinan Sensei]

75. His face!

Last edited Thu Dec 4, 2025, 10:12 PM - Edit history (1)

He looks like he saw the.Ghost of Christmas Future

The only question is - will he be charged with a war crime, or will he be charged with murder?

[BootinUp]

14. They should have blown themselves up. nt

[ashredux]

15. I have some beachfront property in Arizona that I would like to sell

I’ll let it go for a good price…

Their stories get more bizarre as time goes on.

[infullview]

16. Hey, they can say anything they want.

There are no witnesses, no physical evidence, just their story. I hope they make it a good one to tell at their war crimes trial

[travelingthrulife]

29. There are at least two witnesses from the previous boats they blew up

Someone needs to get their stories before these guys have them killed.

[70sEraVet]

17. The White House's initial explanation for the second strike was,

The second strike was to remove a navigation hazard to other vessels.
Now, it's that they were worried that the survivors would be able to continue their drug run?
First the wreckage was a 'navigational hazard' that had to be removed, but now it was a boat that was capable of continuing its mission and had to be destroyed again?

[Katinfl]

18. I read that he is/was a highly decorated and respected military officer.

What a way to end your career. CYA for these idiots. The way I see it, several people carried out these illegal orders. Whoever actually “pulled the trigger” is also to blame. This is one hell of a mess.

[Random Boomer]

67. Even if he is "cleared"...

His name will always be associated with a war crime and the corrupt administration that used a "Get out of jail free" card for murder.

[dickthegrouch]

76. Echoes of Rudi Ghouliani /nt

[AverageOldGuy]

19. So, tell us, Admiral:

How did you know what was in the "packages?"

And while you are at it, tell us how our weapons are not sufficiently powerful to destroy a 35-foot cigarette boat and everything in and around it?

[Prairie Gates]

20. There's no statute of limitations on murder

[Emile]

21. Life in prison is what he's facing. Hope he thinks

it was worth it.

[GCG]

22. The Admiral is in on it!

He plans to spin a yarn that makes Muppets Treasure Island look like a documentary.

If the Admiral lies, and it appears that's exactly what he's going to do...then he is complicit in the murder of two men and is no better than Trump or Hegseth!!!

[NBachers]

23. Yeah, that's the ticket- They were strapping bales of cocaine to their backs, and swimming up to the USA, see . . .

[dickthegrouch]

77. No no

They were trying to enlist narwhals to act as their engines and tow them to the US coast.

[travelingthrulife]

26. OMG. He deserves to go to jail if that is what he is using as an excuse for murder.

[Ray Bruns]

27. And the Titanic was continuing its journey to New York after it struck the iceberg.

[orangecrush]

28. Now we know why Adm. Alvin Holsey resigned

[bluestarone]

30. Well, we now know there is one Admiral in their pocket. How many more

Admirals, or generals do they own?

[doc03]

31. Are we going to hear why the other Admiral Holsey resigned, wasn't it because

of unlawful orders and Kegseth?

[Deminpenn]

65. Yes, that is what was reported

nt

[doc03]

32. We have seen this movie before, they

are going to make the Democrats are against the military claim again. Oliver North

[gab13by13]

34. The Democrats damn well better be against this claim.

The remaining 2 people are still shipwrecked people.

[Emile]

49. Lieutenant William Calley would be proud of this Admiral.

[gab13by13]

33. The lawyer who came up with this tale,

is about to get a promotion.

Everyone in the chain of command, from Krasnov to the person who pulled the trigger is guilty of murder.

Even if this lie were true and there were 2 men left with some cocaine left and a partially disabled boat left, killing them is still murder.
Also, let's not be gaslit, the other 9 people on the boat were also murdered.

[twodogsbarking]

35. He's so stupid he thinks everyone else is stupid but him.

[Norrrm]

36. "Actively Continuing" - What specific actions? Did they get the boat motor started? Oars in place?

..

[CanonRay]

37. How, exactly, sans boat?

Swimming while pushing cocaine bundles with their noses?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

38. Live updates: Navy admiral who ordered attack that killed boat strike survivors briefs lawmakers

Live updates: Navy admiral who ordered attack that killed boat strike survivors briefs lawmakers

Follow the latest news on President Donald Trump and his administration | December 4, 2025

Edited By BRIDGET BROWN, BERNARD MCGHEE and CURTIS YEE
Updated 10:41 AM EST, December 4, 2025

The Navy admiral who reportedly issued orders for the U.S. military to fire upon survivors of an attack on an alleged drug boat is on Capitol Hill for a classified briefing with top congressional lawmakers overseeing national security.

The information from Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, who is now the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, comes at a potentially crucial moment in the unfolding congressional investigation into how Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth handled the military operation in international waters near Venezuela. There are mounting questions over whether the strike may have violated the law.

The briefing in secure facility at the Capitol is with congressional leaders, including the Republican chairs and ranking Democrats of the House and Senate Armed Services committees, and separately to the GOP chairman and Democratic vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

{snip}

[VTderry]

42. The "b" verb for what he's doing

is not "briefs" and rhymes with "ballpits."

[Borogove]

39. They were both Olympic-caliber long-distance swimmers. Makes perfect sense to me.

[returnee]

40. Oh, please!

This is shameless, exceedingly condescending, and, need it actually be said, an outright self-serving concocted lie. Can this possibly hold up to any honest scrutiny?

[Nigrum Cattus]

43. they really really think Americans are stupid

what were they suppose to do swim 50 miles with
blown up cocaine on their backs ?
If any American admiral says that to congress they
need to resign the next day

[cloudbase]

44. Much depends on how he begins his testimony.

He can start with "once upon a time" or "this ain't no shit."

[BidenRocks]

70. Got to go with

Now this ain't no shit!

You know you're in for a whopper!

[patphil]

45. Any naval officer that thinks survivors of a destroyed boat are fair game needs to be removed from his position.

Not only does their death violate the UCMJ, but also international law.

[BComplex]

46. Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire.

He's going to (metaphorically) hang for his association with this fiasco. Right wingers are so dumb.

[Mysterian]

47. Absurd lies of a war criminal

Who will be held accountable for his crimes.

[MustLoveBeagles]

48. No sir

They were just trying to survive at that point.

[twodogsbarking]

50. What next, they smelled marijuana?

[Sneederbunk]

51. Probably swimming towards US with several kilos on their backs.

[struggle4progress]

52. Colonel Bogey March

[SayItLoud]

53. Liar CMA position

Of course he's going to cover his ass.

[flashman13]

54. I expect that inane BS from a MAGAt but not an Admiral. Their x-ray vision showed drugs in packages?

We all know how drug agents love to stack tableshigh with bricks of seized drugs. Call me naive, but show me the goods before you tell me your fairy tale.

[orangecrush]

55. Horseshit

[summer_in_TX]

56. They NEVER mention the drug boats were not headed towards the U.S.

Those boats were headed to the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) off the coast of Venezuela. Guess what? Those islands are Dutch-owned. Drugs going there are destined for Europe, not the U.S.

Drugs from Colombia destined for the U.S. go to the Yucatán, then through Mexico to the U.S.

Nor do they make it clear that the boats are Columbian, not Venezuelan. They're quite content encouraging murkiness about the whole operation. How many Americans have any idea of that?

But blowing up of the boats are very clearly direct intimidation of the Venezuelan government.

The two survivors were Columbian. The family that filed the human rights complaint are also Columbian.

The whole justification the Trump administration is using for these attacks is another filthy lie.

What do they want? Oil and gas of course. Plus Maduro gone. Trump's earlier failure to get rid of him is bound to be galling.

[Retrograde]

57. Where do you get employees like that?

Their workplace - the boat - gets blown up, most of their colleagues are killed, they're adrift in the Caribbean miles from shore, they may be injured themselves, and still they carry on with their nefarious mission. And here American workers complain about having to work 60 hour weeks with no overtime and dwindling safety measures, the whiners.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

58. This position came from the lawyers who are trying to avoid this guy being charged with a war crime

[pecosbob]

59. Is that like football's Brady rule for maritime law or something?

[Happy Hoosier]

60. Absolutely laughable.

This asshole needs to face justice.

[IbogaProject]

61. Still a war crime

On top of due process issues. Those men are still leagally innocent until at least charged via credible evidence. And now it is too late to charge, as that "mission" surley wasnt under the auspices if warrent or similar legal declaration

[SusieCreamcheese]

63. Please. Please. Please.

Venezuela does not produce Fentanyl, nor is it a transit country for Fentanyl. Let's start right THERE. With THAT lie.

[Deminpenn]

64. Shorter: Bradley plans to lie under oath

nt

[GiqueCee]

66. What utter bullshit...

... no one is going to "continue their drug run" when the boat is already blown to smithereens. What did President Sleazebag have on you that made you to agree to take the fall for an incompetent, drunken shitweasel with a neo-Nazi tattoo on his right tit?

[Marcuse]

68. Primitive.

[BidenRocks]

71. Not in Japanese culture.

I do Seppuku and my second chops before I dishonor my death by jerking and other stuff.

Dishonorable death is the opposite.

[Marcuse]

72. True, but this swordsman is not a yoriki. Hegseth delivered a similar coup d'gras. War crime or police crime?