Rep. Seth Moulton Accuses Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of War Crimes Over Caribbean Boat Strikes

On April 29, 2026 Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) told CNN’s “OutFront” that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is “guilty of war crimes” for overseeing U.S. strikes on Caribbean vessels. Moulton cited “Operation Southern Sphere,” a series of attacks on boats labeled “narco-terrorists” without confirmed criminal activity, and a “double tap” strike that hit survivors clinging to wreckage. He likened the conduct to Allied prosecutions of Nazi submarine captains in World II.

Breitbart

Since September 2025 the Defense Department has conducted monthly strikes on Caribbean boats it says are linked to drug trafficking, a policy framed as protecting U.S. security amid the Iran war. Critics say the criteria for targeting are opaque.

Breitbart

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense; Seth Moulton, House Armed Services Committee member; Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary; Adm. Frank Bradley, senior officer who ordered the “double tap”; House Democrats, who filed impeachment articles.

The Hill

U.S. officials report at least 186 deaths from the Caribbean strikes. The “double tap” occurred on September 2, 2026, targeting survivors after the initial hit. Strikes have persisted for seven months.

The Hill

Hegseth said the Department of Defense “fights to win” and that its rules of engagement protect U.S. interests. Press secretary Leavitt said Adm. Bradley acted under orders to destroy the boat and eliminate “the threat to the United States of America.” The White House has not released evidence linking the vessels to drug trafficking. House Democrats have introduced impeachment articles alleging war crimes.

The Hill

Moulton contended the strikes hit fishermen and their families, citing press reports of non-combatant victims. He argued that Hegseth’s “no quarter” language violates the Geneva Conventions and noted the World II precedent.

Mediaite

The administration’s justification relies on classified threat assessments; independent verification of the boats’ cargo or crew has not been made public. No third-party investigation has confirmed illicit narcotics on the vessels.

The Hill

• “You said, ‘We will give them no quarter, no mercy.’ In order for no quarter or no survivors is a war crime under the Geneva conventions,” — Seth Moulton

Mediaite

• “Listen to that, Mr.” — Seth Moulton

The Hill

• “The Department of War fights to win, and we ensure that our war fighters have the rules of engagement necessary to be as effective —” — Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense

Mediaite

• “Frank Bradley was following orders to destroy the boat and guarantee “the threat to the United States of America was eliminated.” — Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary

The Hill

Hegseth is scheduled to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, and the House impeachment articles against him have already been filed.

The Hill