Senator Chris Murphy told CNN that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sent a message that he believes should worry every general working under him. Murphy was reacting to the growing scandal involving the reported killing of unarmed shipwreck survivors. These killings, first reported the previous week, have been described by experts as possible war crimes.
Hegseth has responded in two main ways. He has strongly defended the actions taken during the incident, but he has also suggested that the order behind those actions did not come from him.
CNN’s Erin Burnett explained that Hegseth posted a public statement. In it, he praised Admiral Mitch Bradley as a hero and a professional, and said he supports Bradley completely. Hegseth insisted that he stands by every combat decision Bradley has made, including on the mission that took place on September 2. He also repeated that the department stands behind its military personnel.
Burnett pointed out that this message appears to put the responsibility for the decision on Admiral Bradley, rather than on Hegseth himself. She asked Murphy where he thought this situation was headed.
Murphy said that Hegseth is trying to avoid responsibility. According to him, Hegseth realizes that both Republicans and Democrats are starting to see the incident as illegal and morally wrong. Murphy argued that instead of accepting accountability, Hegseth is shifting the blame downward. He said this sends a disturbing message to everyone in the military chain of command—that the secretary will protect himself first.
Murphy added that it appears likely that Hegseth did give the order to kill the people on the boat, and that those lower in the chain of command simply followed instructions. He said Hegseth’s behavior tells generals and career military officials that he will not defend them if there are consequences. Murphy argued that this could seriously damage U.S. national security.
