Hegseth Says He Didn’t Watch 2nd Boat Strike, Backs Commander

The defense secretary said he left part way through the operation and did not see survivors following the initial strike on Sept. 2.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (C) speaks during a Cabinet meeting alongside President Donald Trump (L), Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick (2nd R) and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy (R) in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Dec. 2, 2025. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said he watched the initial strike on a drug boat in early September, but did not see survivors or stick around for a follow-up strike on the damaged vessel.

“I watched that first strike live,” Hegseth told reporters at a Dec. 2 White House Cabinet meeting.