{"id":2516820,"date":"2025-12-03T01:29:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T06:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rand-paul-says-hegseth-is-either-lying-about-boat-strike-or-incompetent\/"},"modified":"2025-12-03T01:31:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T06:31:07","slug":"rand-paul-says-hegseth-is-either-lying-about-boat-strike-or-incompetent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rand-paul-says-hegseth-is-either-lying-about-boat-strike-or-incompetent\/","title":{"rendered":"Rand Paul says Hegseth is either \u2018lying\u2019 about boat strike or \u2018incompetent\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><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%2Frand-paul-says-hegseth-is-either-lying-about-boat-strike-or-incompetent%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=2516820&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>Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) sharply criticized Secretary of War Pete Hegseth regarding the controversy over a military strike on a suspected Venezuelan narcoterrorist cartel boat on September 2. The dispute centers on the so-called &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-says-strike-on-gaza-hospital-that-killed-journalists-was-targeting-hamas-camera\/\" title=\"Israel says ... on Gaza hospital that killed journalists was targeting Hamas camera\">double-tap<\/a>&#8221; strike,where an additional attack was allegedly ordered to kill survivors of the initial assault. The Washington Post reported on this controversial tactic, which Hegseth initially denied on social media, calling the reports &#8220;fabricated&#8221; and &#8220;derogatory.&#8221; However, shortly afterward, White House statements confirmed the second strike did occur.<\/p>\n<p>Paul accused Hegseth of either lying or being incompetent for denying knowledge of the second strike, questioning how the secretary could be unaware of such a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-department-urges-us-citizens-to-leave-ukraine-will-reduce-us-embassy-staff\/\" title=\"State Department Urges US Citizens To Leave Ukraine, Will Reduce US Embassy Staff\">significant military action<\/a>.additionally, Paul criticized Hegseth for deflecting duty onto Admiral Frank Mitchell Bradley, who was in charge of combat decisions during the operation. Hegseth publicly expressed full support for Admiral Bradley, calling him an American hero and standing behind the decisions made.<\/p>\n<p>Paul expressed concern that political figures like Hegseth were blaming military personnel rather than taking accountability themselves, urging transparency and truthfulness regarding the incident.  <\/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\">Rand Paul says Hegseth is either &lsquo;lying&rsquo; about boat strike or &lsquo;incompetent&rsquo;<\/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_2421522\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/rand-paul\/\">Rand Paul<\/a> (R-KY) blasted Secretary of War <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\/\">Pete Hegseth<\/a> on Tuesday for his role in the controversy surrounding the strike on a suspected Venezuelan narcoterrorist cartel boat on Sept. 2.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The controversy stems from the alleged &ldquo;double-tap&rdquo; strike, an order given to kill people aboard the boat who survived the first attack on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/survivors-reported-after-latest-u-s-military-strike-on-suspected-venezuelan-drug-cartel-boat\/\" title=\"Survivors reported after latest U.S. ... on suspected Venezuelan drug cartel ...\">suspected drug-trafficking vessel<\/a>. The <em>Washington Post<\/em> initially broke the story about the alleged decision to kill the remaining survivors from the military operation. Paul blasted Hegseth&rsquo;s account of the incident and seemed to imply the War Secretary was being less than candid with the facts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3904132\/pete-hegseth-secretary-of-war-name-card-misspelled-cabinet-meeting\/\">Hegseth name card misspelled in Cabinet meeting<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3904027\/pete-hegseth-military-operations-caribbean-only-just-begun\/\">Hegseth didn&#8217;t &#8216;stick around&#8217; to see Bradley carry out second boat strike on survivors<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3903838\/watch-live-pentagon-press-secretary-kingsley-wilson-briefing\/\">WATCH LIVE: Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson holds briefing with new media<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The senator referenced Hegseth&rsquo;s X <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SecWar\/status\/1994552598142038358?s=20\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">post<\/a> from Friday in which he called reports critical of the strike, particularly the &ldquo;double-tap&rdquo; order, as &ldquo;fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting to discredit our incredible warriors fighting to protect the homeland.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Secretary Hegseth said he had no knowledge of this, and it did not happen. It was fake news. It didn&rsquo;t happen. And then the next day, from the podium at the White House are saying it did happen,&rdquo; Paul <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/12\/02\/politics\/rand-paul-hegseth-boat-strike\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a> while speaking to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. &ldquo;So, either he was lying to us &hellip; or he&rsquo;s incompetent and didn&rsquo;t know it had happened.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>While elaborating on Hegseth&rsquo;s response, Paul suggested it was unlikely the secretary of defense\/war was unaware of the second strike. He was skeptical of Hegseth&rsquo;s explanation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Do we think there&rsquo;s any chance that &hellip; the secretary of the defense did not know there had been a second strike?&rdquo; Paul <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/12\/02\/politics\/rand-paul-hegseth-boat-strike\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">asked<\/a>. &ldquo;So as a country, we&rsquo;re just going to let people lie to us, to our face?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Paul also criticized Hegseth for seemingly <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/daily-on-defense\/3903607\/white-house-confirms-key-points-of-second-strike-on-drug-boat\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">passing the blame on the second strike to Admiral Frank Mitchell Bradley<\/a>. In a post on X on Monday, Hegseth expressed immense support for Bradly, who he said was responsible for the &ldquo;combat decisions&rdquo; made during the military operation on Sept. 2.<\/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 HEGSTEH FROM &lsquo;WAR CRIME&rsquo; ACCUSATIONS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s make one thing crystal clear: Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support,&rdquo; Hegseth <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PeteHegseth\/status\/1995643490152128919?s=20\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a> in the post. &ldquo;I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made &mdash; on the September 2 mission and all others since. America is fortunate to have such men protecting us. When this<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DeptofWar\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> @DeptofWar<\/a> says we have the back of our warriors &mdash; we mean it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Paul was critical of Hegseth&rsquo;s response.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like to see <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >political figures pointing<\/a> their finger at military figures,&rdquo; said Paul. &ldquo;Military people take orders. And there&rsquo;s a question about, you know, when they don&rsquo;t take orders, whether things are legal or not legal, but in this sense, it looks to me like they&rsquo;re trying to pin the blame on somebody else and not them.&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>Rand Paul: Hegseth &#8216;lying&#8217; or &#8216;incompetent&#8217; on boat strike<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2677,"featured_media":2516821,"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\/12\/image-collage-ihpxl8meo-1764742233781-e1764742303393.jpg?1764724317&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[62555,45173,5894,38952],"class_list":["post-2516820","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-boat-strike","tag-hegseth","tag-politics","tag-rand-paul"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-collage-ihpxl8meo-1764742233781-e1764742303393.jpg?1764724317&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516820","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\/2677"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2516820"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516820\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2516824,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516820\/revisions\/2516824"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2516821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2516820"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2516820"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2516820"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}