{"id":2516569,"date":"2025-12-02T13:32:01","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T18:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-is-the-admiral-who-called-second-strike-on-alleged-drug-boat\/"},"modified":"2025-12-02T13:33:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T18:33:20","slug":"who-is-the-admiral-who-called-second-strike-on-alleged-drug-boat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-is-the-admiral-who-called-second-strike-on-alleged-drug-boat\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is the admiral who called second strike on alleged drug boat?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwho-is-the-admiral-who-called-second-strike-on-alleged-drug-boat%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2516569&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Mitch bradley is a Navy admiral who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tucker-carlson-calls-out-large-bump-on-john-fettermans-neck-keep-your-eyes-on-this-lump\/\" title=\"Tucker Carlson Calls Out Large Bump On John Fetterman\u2019s Neck: \u2018Keep Your Eyes On This Lump\u2019\">recently gained attention<\/a> after the White House stated he ordered a second lethal strike on an <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >alleged drug trafficking boat<\/a> in early September, following an operation authorized by War Secretary Pete Hegseth. bradley currently leads the U.S.Special operations Command and previously commanded the Joint Special Operations Command, overseeing the military action from Fort Bragg. The strike involved an air attack that killed most aboard the vessel near Trinidad and Tobago, followed by a Navy SEAL team eliminating the two survivors, as Bradley believed they posed a risk of alerting others. His decisions have led to accusations of war crimes against Hegseth and scrutiny from Congress, though the White House defends the operation as necessary to combat drug trafficking. Bradley is expected to brief lawmakers on the incident amid ongoing investigations. Critics,including former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall,argue that the killings were unjustified and perhaps constitute a war crime,contrasting with Hegseth&#8217;s public support of bradley&#8217;s actions.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Who is Mitch Bradley, whom the White House claims made the call for second strike on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/margaret-brennan-blames-cdc-critics-for-shooting\/\" title=\"Margaret Brennan Blames CDC Critics For Shooting\">alleged drug boat<\/a>?<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2421275\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>As the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration<\/a> faces congressional scrutiny over its military strikes in the Caribbean, the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\">White House<\/a> says Navy Adm. Frank &ldquo;Mitch&rdquo; Bradley ordered a second lethal strike on an alleged drug boat in early September after War Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\/\">Pete Hegseth<\/a> authorized the operation.<\/p>\n<p>A lesser-known official at the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-defense\/\">Department of War<\/a>, Bradley&rsquo;s oversight of the two Sept. 2 strikes was reported by the <em>Washington Post<\/em> late last week. In the report, Bradley was said to be following Hegseth&rsquo;s verbal order to &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/national-security\/2025\/11\/28\/hegseth-kill-them-all-survivors-boat-strike\/\">kill everybody<\/a>&rdquo; aboard the vessel.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3903747\/trump-reviewing-options-congress-obamacare-subsidies-deadline\/\">Trump quietly &#8216;reviewing options&#8217; as Congress stares down Obamacare deadline<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3903744\/kristi-noem-advises-trump-impose-travel-ban\/\">Ahead of holidays, Noem advises Trump to impose full travel ban<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3903709\/watch-live-trump-cabinet-meeting-hegseth-boat-strike-orders\/\">WATCH LIVE: Trump holds Cabinet meeting after blowback from Hegseth boat strike orders<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>In the days since the report, federal lawmakers have accused Hegseth of committing &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/war-crimes\/\">war crimes<\/a>&rdquo; against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/is-trumps-peace-through-strength-maxxing-actually-effective\/\" title=\"Is Trump\u2019s peace through strength-maxxing actually effective?\">alleged narco-terrorists<\/a> in violation of international law. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/white-house\/\">White House<\/a> rebuts the argument, saying Hegseth is doing what&rsquo;s best to protect the nation from drug traffickers.<\/p>\n<p>In light of the accusations against the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pentagon\/\">Pentagon<\/a>, here are all the relevant details to know about the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/navy\/\">Navy<\/a> admiral who made the call for the second strike:<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-s-his-role-in-the-pentagon\">What&rsquo;s his role in the Pentagon?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Official headshot of Navy Adm. Mitch Bradley (Downloaded file from Department of War)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Bradley currently leads the U.S. Special Operations Command, which oversees elite units across the military, after he was promoted to the post in October.<\/p>\n<p>At the time of the Sept. 2 strikes, he led Joint Special Operations Command under SOCOM. The commander oversaw the military operation from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.<\/p>\n<p>After an airstrike killed nine of the 11 people aboard the alleged drug boat near Trinidad and Tobago, a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/navy-seals\/\">Navy SEAL team<\/a> was reportedly dispatched by JSOC to eliminate the remaining two survivors.<\/p>\n<p>Bradley ordered the deaths of the survivors because he believed they could have called other drug traffickers to retrieve them and their remaining cargo that was not destroyed in the first strike, according to the <em>Washington Post<\/em>. The White House says Hegseth did not order the second strike himself, but did not deny that it had occurred.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-s-his-career-history\">What&rsquo;s his career history?<\/h2>\n<p>Bradley graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991 and became a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/navy-seals\/\">Navy SEAL<\/a> the following year, according to his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/Leadership\/Flag-Officer-Biographies\/BioDisplay\/Article\/4320516\/admiral-frank-m-bradley\/\">extensive biography<\/a> on the Navy&rsquo;s website.<\/p>\n<p>He served multiple tours in command of joint task forces. Additionally, he was among the first to deploy to Afghanistan following the al Qaeda terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.<\/p>\n<p>Bradley later rose through the ranks of the Pentagon, eventually leading all levels of special operations.<\/p>\n<p>He studied physics as an undergraduate at the Naval Academy. In 2006, he earned a master&rsquo;s degree in the branch of science at the Naval Postgraduate School.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-is-he-in-the-news\">Why is he in the news?<\/h2>\n<p>Bradley&rsquo;s name has become widely circulated in the press because of his involvement in the strikes scrutinized by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">Congress<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As the House and Senate Armed Services Committees <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3901946\/hegseth-drug-boat-strike-order-senate-scrutiny\/\">lead investigations<\/a> into the reported military strikes, the commander is expected to brief lawmakers on the matter this week. The classified briefing is anticipated to take place on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The committee of jurisdiction, the Armed Services Committee, has asked for a briefing by the appropriate administration officials, and I assume we&rsquo;ll attempt to get all the facts surrounding what happened with that incident,&rdquo; Senate Majority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\">John Thune<\/a> (R-SD) told reporters on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>While <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BillKristol\/status\/1995662228201050180\">some critics<\/a> suggest the Trump administration is throwing Bradley under the bus, Hegseth <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PeteHegseth\/status\/1995643490152128919\">publicly threw<\/a> &ldquo;100% support&rdquo; behind the Pentagon official and his combat decisions. He also hailed the Navy admiral as an &ldquo;American hero.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3903616\/trump-cabinet-meeting-administration-protects-hegseth-war-crime-accusations\/\">TRUMP HOLDS CABINET MEETING AS ADMINISTRATION PROTECTS HEGSETH FROM &lsquo;WAR CRIME&rsquo; ACCUSATIONS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In a Monday interview with MS NOW, former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said Bradley would be court-martialed if the situation were under &ldquo;normal circumstances.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Adm. Bradley was reported to have given an excuse, if you will, for the second engagement. That doesn&rsquo;t hold water,&rdquo; the Biden-era military official said. &ldquo;These people were wounded. They were in the water. They were not a threat to anybody. Again, that&rsquo;s a textbook example of a war crime.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who is Mitch Bradley, said to order second strike?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2516570,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-from-White-House-Venezuela-boat-3-e1762813375169.png?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[19057,62887,38830,36847,65720],"class_list":["post-2516569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-admiral","tag-drug-boat","tag-maritime-security","tag-military-operation","tag-second-strike"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-from-White-House-Venezuela-boat-3-e1762813375169.png?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516569","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2516569"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516569\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2516573,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516569\/revisions\/2516573"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2516570"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2516569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2516569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2516569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}