Story perspectives
Sen. Cotton Calls for Apology Over Hegseth Strike Claims
12/8/2025
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Story summary
- Sen. Tom Cotton demanded The Washington Post apologize for alleged slander against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over lethal strikes on a drug boat.
- Cotton defended the strikes, saying the targets were valid and posed a threat to Americans.
- He claimed survivors of the initial strike were not incapacitated and the Pentagon's actions were lawful.
- The Washington Post says Hegseth's orders led to the second strike that killed survivors.
