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mahatmakanejeeves

(68,030 posts)
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 06:07 AM Dec 4

Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers

Source: The Wall Street Journal.

exclusive * National Security

Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers

Commander of September attack to provide account of his role for the first time in closed briefing

By Shelby Holliday and Alexander Ward
Dec. 3, 2025 8:04 pm ET

WASHINGTON--Two survivors of a Sept. 2 U.S. strike on a boat in the Caribbean were killed in follow-up attacks after they were seen still aboard the damaged vessel alongside packages of illegal narcotics, a senior commander is expected to tell lawmakers Thursday.

Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley plans to say he and his legal adviser concluded the two survivors were attempting to continue their drug run, making them and the already-damaged vessel legitimate targets for another attack, two defense officials said.

{paywall}

https://www.wsj.com/news/author/shelby-holliday
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/alexander-ward

Read more: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/survivors-of-boat-strike-were-actively-continuing-drug-mission-admiral-to-tell-lawmakers-b82f0ab3



Hat tip, Ken White ("Popehat&quot

If after we blow your boat up you still float, you are a witch, so we can kill you. If you drown you are not a witch.

Don’t Have To Apologize For Being Popehat Anymore (@kenwhite.bsky.social) 2025-12-04T02:39:31.603Z


******
Popehat of Serious Proportion
‪@kenwhite.bsky.social‬

If after we blow your boat up you still float, you are a witch, so we can kill you. If you drown you are not a witch.

‪Kai Ryssdal‬
‪@kairyssdal.bsky.social‬
· 8h
Hoooooooo boy

https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/survivors-of-boat-strike-were-actively-continuing-drug-mission-admiral-to-tell-lawmakers-b82f0ab3

Exclusive Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers
Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, the commander of the September attack, is set to provide an account of his role for the first time in a closed briefing.
www.wsj.com
Dec 3, 2025, 9:39 PM
******

Hoooooooo boy

www.wsj.com/politics/nat...

Kai Ryssdal (@kairyssdal.bsky.social) 2025-12-04T02:11:23.207Z


******
Kai Ryssdal
‪@kairyssdal.bsky.social‬

Hoooooooo boy

https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/survivors-of-boat-strike-were-actively-continuing-drug-mission-admiral-to-tell-lawmakers-b82f0ab3

Exclusive Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers
Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, the commander of the September attack, is set to provide an account of his role for the first time in a closed briefing.
www.wsj.com
Dec 3, 2025, 9:11 PM
******
80 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Dec 4 OP
Frank Bradley's story is a dog and that dog won't hunt. mobeau69 Dec 4 #1
What! A missile just destroyed their vessel but they Buddyzbuddy Dec 4 #2
He's a lying sack of sh*t NotHardly Dec 4 #73
Agreed Buddyzbuddy Dec 4 #74
The USG has a new explanation on why they (now admittedly) intentionally killed 2 shipwrecked men. mahatmakanejeeves Dec 4 #3
Good job for him ridicule isn't lethal TubbersUK Dec 4 #4
What happened to the video where 'two survivors are seen clinging to the sinkingfeeling Dec 4 #5
Right. Hold onto the wreckage Seinan Sensei Dec 4 #62
Using a bale of (drugs) BidenRocks Dec 4 #69
He got that one from the cops exboyfil Dec 4 #6
General Bradley's full of shit. BradBo Dec 4 #7
... 2naSalit Dec 4 #8
Try that defense at your liberalgunwilltravel Dec 4 #9
Didn't work at Nuremberg, not going to work now. Ray Bruns Dec 4 #24
yeah, cool story bro. Javaman Dec 4 #10
They watch too many cartoons Marthe48 Dec 4 #11
Quiet, Piggy orangecrush Dec 4 #12
Yesterday I felt sorry for this guy for being their scapegoat; babylonsister Dec 4 #13
They were going to find someone who would do what they wanted. Ray Bruns Dec 4 #25
It makes no sense because drug-trafficking VTderry Dec 4 #41
His face! Seinan Sensei Dec 4 #75
They should have blown themselves up. nt BootinUp Dec 4 #14
I have some beachfront property in Arizona that I would like to sell ashredux Dec 4 #15
Hey, they can say anything they want. infullview Dec 4 #16
There are at least two witnesses from the previous boats they blew up travelingthrulife Dec 4 #29
The White House's initial explanation for the second strike was, 70sEraVet Dec 4 #17
I read that he is/was a highly decorated and respected military officer. Katinfl Dec 4 #18
Even if he is "cleared"... Random Boomer Dec 4 #67
Echoes of Rudi Ghouliani /nt dickthegrouch Dec 4 #76
So, tell us, Admiral: AverageOldGuy Dec 4 #19
There's no statute of limitations on murder Prairie Gates Dec 4 #20
Life in prison is what he's facing. Hope he thinks Emile Dec 4 #21
The Admiral is in on it! GCG Dec 4 #22
Yeah, that's the ticket- They were strapping bales of cocaine to their backs, and swimming up to the USA, see . . . NBachers Dec 4 #23
No no dickthegrouch Dec 4 #77
OMG. He deserves to go to jail if that is what he is using as an excuse for murder. travelingthrulife Dec 4 #26
And the Titanic was continuing its journey to New York after it struck the iceberg. Ray Bruns Dec 4 #27
Now we know why Adm. Alvin Holsey resigned orangecrush Dec 4 #28
Well, we now know there is one Admiral in their pocket. How many more bluestarone Dec 4 #30
Are we going to hear why the other Admiral Holsey resigned, wasn't it because doc03 Dec 4 #31
Yes, that is what was reported Deminpenn Dec 4 #65
We have seen this movie before, they doc03 Dec 4 #32
The Democrats damn well better be against this claim. gab13by13 Dec 4 #34
Lieutenant William Calley would be proud of this Admiral. Emile Dec 4 #49
The lawyer who came up with this tale, gab13by13 Dec 4 #33
He's so stupid he thinks everyone else is stupid but him. twodogsbarking Dec 4 #35
"Actively Continuing" - What specific actions? Did they get the boat motor started? Oars in place? Norrrm Dec 4 #36
How, exactly, sans boat? CanonRay Dec 4 #37
Live updates: Navy admiral who ordered attack that killed boat strike survivors briefs lawmakers mahatmakanejeeves Dec 4 #38
The "b" verb for what he's doing VTderry Dec 4 #42
They were both Olympic-caliber long-distance swimmers. Makes perfect sense to me. Borogove Dec 4 #39
Oh, please! returnee Dec 4 #40
they really really think Americans are stupid Nigrum Cattus Dec 4 #43
Much depends on how he begins his testimony. cloudbase Dec 4 #44
Got to go with BidenRocks Dec 4 #70
Any naval officer that thinks survivors of a destroyed boat are fair game needs to be removed from his position. patphil Dec 4 #45
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire. BComplex Dec 4 #46
Absurd lies of a war criminal Mysterian Dec 4 #47
No sir MustLoveBeagles Dec 4 #48
What next, they smelled marijuana? twodogsbarking Dec 4 #50
Probably swimming towards US with several kilos on their backs. Sneederbunk Dec 4 #51
Colonel Bogey March struggle4progress Dec 4 #52
Liar CMA position SayItLoud Dec 4 #53
I expect that inane BS from a MAGAt but not an Admiral. Their x-ray vision showed drugs in packages? flashman13 Dec 4 #54
Horseshit orangecrush Dec 4 #55
They NEVER mention the drug boats were not headed towards the U.S. summer_in_TX Dec 4 #56
Where do you get employees like that? Retrograde Dec 4 #57
This position came from the lawyers who are trying to avoid this guy being charged with a war crime LetMyPeopleVote Dec 4 #58
Is that like football's Brady rule for maritime law or something? pecosbob Dec 4 #59
Absolutely laughable. Happy Hoosier Dec 4 #60
Still a war crime IbogaProject Dec 4 #61
Please. Please. Please. SusieCreamcheese Dec 4 #63
Shorter: Bradley plans to lie under oath Deminpenn Dec 4 #64
What utter bullshit... GiqueCee Dec 4 #66
Primitive. Marcuse Dec 4 #68
Not in Japanese culture. BidenRocks Dec 4 #71
True, but this swordsman is not a yoriki. Hegseth delivered a similar coup d'gras. War crime or police crime? Marcuse Dec 4 #72
They really think we are as stupid as they are Bayard Dec 4 #78
Trump is a thug... GiqueCee Dec 5 #79
The are using AI for stupid. It can't be natural. twodogsbarking Dec 5 #80

Buddyzbuddy

(2,049 posts)
2. What! A missile just destroyed their vessel but they
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 06:30 AM
Dec 4

stopped to secure the drugs (not in evidence) find some oars and started paddling to their destination?
Yeah, nice try.

mahatmakanejeeves

(68,030 posts)
3. The USG has a new explanation on why they (now admittedly) intentionally killed 2 shipwrecked men.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 06:35 AM
Dec 4

Reposted by Popehat of Serious Proportion
https://bsky.app/profile/kenwhite.bsky.social

‪Ryan Goodman
‪@rgoodlaw.bsky.social‬

The USG has a new explanation on why they (now admittedly) intentionally killed 2 shipwrecked men. It does not pass the laws-of-war smell test

Worse for Hegseth, NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved contingency plans for what to do if an initial strike left survivors."

1/🧵

U.S. Military’s Boat Strikes Planning Takes On New Significance
www.nytimes.com
Dec 3, 2025, 9:25 PM

The USG has a new explanation on why they (now admittedly) intentionally killed 2 shipwrecked men. It does not pass the laws-of-war smell test

Worse for Hegseth, NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved contingency plans for what to do if an initial strike left survivors."

1/🧵

Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw.bsky.social) 2025-12-04T02:25:08.582Z

TubbersUK

(1,514 posts)
4. Good job for him ridicule isn't lethal
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 06:35 AM
Dec 4

Because he's going to experience a great deal of it if he goes with that defence.

BidenRocks

(2,697 posts)
69. Using a bale of (drugs)
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 06:24 PM
Dec 4

as a floatation device makes sense.

The interpretation is insanely absurd!

We spent 100K on a missile to kill two humans.

We could drop an iron BDU (bomb dummy unit, no bang), and sink the boat.

The explosions are ego, not effectiveness or cost benefit.

liberalgunwilltravel

(1,054 posts)
9. Try that defense at your
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 07:30 AM
Dec 4

Court-Martial. It would be better to describe the underside of the bus and detail how and why you got there, rather than further destroy your reputation with such an absurd defense.

babylonsister

(172,547 posts)
13. Yesterday I felt sorry for this guy for being their scapegoat;
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:34 AM
Dec 4

today, I have no such sentiments. CYA all the way. His story makes no sense considering there was hardly any boat left.

Seinan Sensei

(1,324 posts)
75. His face!
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:21 PM
Dec 4

Last edited Thu Dec 4, 2025, 10:12 PM - Edit history (1)

He looks like he saw the.Ghost of Christmas Future

The only question is - will he be charged with a war crime, or will he be charged with murder?

ashredux

(2,847 posts)
15. I have some beachfront property in Arizona that I would like to sell
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:45 AM
Dec 4

I’ll let it go for a good price…

Their stories get more bizarre as time goes on.

infullview

(1,106 posts)
16. Hey, they can say anything they want.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:45 AM
Dec 4

There are no witnesses, no physical evidence, just their story. I hope they make it a good one to tell at their war crimes trial

travelingthrulife

(4,322 posts)
29. There are at least two witnesses from the previous boats they blew up
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 09:56 AM
Dec 4

Someone needs to get their stories before these guys have them killed.

70sEraVet

(5,206 posts)
17. The White House's initial explanation for the second strike was,
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:49 AM
Dec 4

The second strike was to remove a navigation hazard to other vessels.
Now, it's that they were worried that the survivors would be able to continue their drug run?
First the wreckage was a 'navigational hazard' that had to be removed, but now it was a boat that was capable of continuing its mission and had to be destroyed again?

Katinfl

(608 posts)
18. I read that he is/was a highly decorated and respected military officer.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:50 AM
Dec 4

What a way to end your career. CYA for these idiots. The way I see it, several people carried out these illegal orders. Whoever actually “pulled the trigger” is also to blame. This is one hell of a mess.

Random Boomer

(4,377 posts)
67. Even if he is "cleared"...
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 05:23 PM
Dec 4

His name will always be associated with a war crime and the corrupt administration that used a "Get out of jail free" card for murder.

AverageOldGuy

(3,279 posts)
19. So, tell us, Admiral:
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:55 AM
Dec 4

How did you know what was in the "packages?"

And while you are at it, tell us how our weapons are not sufficiently powerful to destroy a 35-foot cigarette boat and everything in and around it?

GCG

(23 posts)
22. The Admiral is in on it!
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 09:31 AM
Dec 4

He plans to spin a yarn that makes Muppets Treasure Island look like a documentary.

If the Admiral lies, and it appears that's exactly what he's going to do...then he is complicit in the murder of two men and is no better than Trump or Hegseth!!!

NBachers

(19,134 posts)
23. Yeah, that's the ticket- They were strapping bales of cocaine to their backs, and swimming up to the USA, see . . .
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 09:35 AM
Dec 4

dickthegrouch

(4,259 posts)
77. No no
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 09:49 PM
Dec 4

They were trying to enlist narwhals to act as their engines and tow them to the US coast.

bluestarone

(21,066 posts)
30. Well, we now know there is one Admiral in their pocket. How many more
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 10:01 AM
Dec 4

Admirals, or generals do they own?

doc03

(38,787 posts)
31. Are we going to hear why the other Admiral Holsey resigned, wasn't it because
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 10:03 AM
Dec 4

of unlawful orders and Kegseth?

doc03

(38,787 posts)
32. We have seen this movie before, they
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 10:18 AM
Dec 4

are going to make the Democrats are against the military claim again. Oliver North

gab13by13

(31,063 posts)
34. The Democrats damn well better be against this claim.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 10:20 AM
Dec 4

The remaining 2 people are still shipwrecked people.

gab13by13

(31,063 posts)
33. The lawyer who came up with this tale,
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 10:18 AM
Dec 4

is about to get a promotion.

Everyone in the chain of command, from Krasnov to the person who pulled the trigger is guilty of murder.

Even if this lie were true and there were 2 men left with some cocaine left and a partially disabled boat left, killing them is still murder.
Also, let's not be gaslit, the other 9 people on the boat were also murdered.

Norrrm

(3,875 posts)
36. "Actively Continuing" - What specific actions? Did they get the boat motor started? Oars in place?
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 10:39 AM
Dec 4

..

mahatmakanejeeves

(68,030 posts)
38. Live updates: Navy admiral who ordered attack that killed boat strike survivors briefs lawmakers
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 10:50 AM
Dec 4
Live updates: Navy admiral who ordered attack that killed boat strike survivors briefs lawmakers

Follow the latest news on President Donald Trump and his administration | December 4, 2025

Edited By BRIDGET BROWN, BERNARD MCGHEE and CURTIS YEE
Updated 10:41 AM EST, December 4, 2025

The Navy admiral who reportedly issued orders for the U.S. military to fire upon survivors of an attack on an alleged drug boat is on Capitol Hill for a classified briefing with top congressional lawmakers overseeing national security.

The information from Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, who is now the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, comes at a potentially crucial moment in the unfolding congressional investigation into how Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth handled the military operation in international waters near Venezuela. There are mounting questions over whether the strike may have violated the law.

The briefing in secure facility at the Capitol is with congressional leaders, including the Republican chairs and ranking Democrats of the House and Senate Armed Services committees, and separately to the GOP chairman and Democratic vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

{snip}

returnee

(797 posts)
40. Oh, please!
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 11:16 AM
Dec 4

This is shameless, exceedingly condescending, and, need it actually be said, an outright self-serving concocted lie. Can this possibly hold up to any honest scrutiny?

Nigrum Cattus

(1,199 posts)
43. they really really think Americans are stupid
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 11:35 AM
Dec 4

what were they suppose to do swim 50 miles with
blown up cocaine on their backs ?
If any American admiral says that to congress they
need to resign the next day

cloudbase

(6,144 posts)
44. Much depends on how he begins his testimony.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 11:47 AM
Dec 4

He can start with "once upon a time" or "this ain't no shit."

patphil

(8,670 posts)
45. Any naval officer that thinks survivors of a destroyed boat are fair game needs to be removed from his position.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 12:04 PM
Dec 4

Not only does their death violate the UCMJ, but also international law.

BComplex

(9,734 posts)
46. Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 12:23 PM
Dec 4

He's going to (metaphorically) hang for his association with this fiasco. Right wingers are so dumb.

flashman13

(1,966 posts)
54. I expect that inane BS from a MAGAt but not an Admiral. Their x-ray vision showed drugs in packages?
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 02:31 PM
Dec 4

We all know how drug agents love to stack tableshigh with bricks of seized drugs. Call me naive, but show me the goods before you tell me your fairy tale.

summer_in_TX

(4,010 posts)
56. They NEVER mention the drug boats were not headed towards the U.S.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 03:29 PM
Dec 4

Those boats were headed to the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) off the coast of Venezuela. Guess what? Those islands are Dutch-owned. Drugs going there are destined for Europe, not the U.S.

Drugs from Colombia destined for the U.S. go to the Yucatán, then through Mexico to the U.S.

Nor do they make it clear that the boats are Columbian, not Venezuelan. They're quite content encouraging murkiness about the whole operation. How many Americans have any idea of that?

But blowing up of the boats are very clearly direct intimidation of the Venezuelan government.

The two survivors were Columbian. The family that filed the human rights complaint are also Columbian.

The whole justification the Trump administration is using for these attacks is another filthy lie.

What do they want? Oil and gas of course. Plus Maduro gone. Trump's earlier failure to get rid of him is bound to be galling.

Retrograde

(11,371 posts)
57. Where do you get employees like that?
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 03:32 PM
Dec 4

Their workplace - the boat - gets blown up, most of their colleagues are killed, they're adrift in the Caribbean miles from shore, they may be injured themselves, and still they carry on with their nefarious mission. And here American workers complain about having to work 60 hour weeks with no overtime and dwindling safety measures, the whiners.

IbogaProject

(5,565 posts)
61. Still a war crime
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 04:21 PM
Dec 4

On top of due process issues. Those men are still leagally innocent until at least charged via credible evidence. And now it is too late to charge, as that "mission" surley wasnt under the auspices if warrent or similar legal declaration

SusieCreamcheese

(26 posts)
63. Please. Please. Please.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 04:50 PM
Dec 4

Venezuela does not produce Fentanyl, nor is it a transit country for Fentanyl. Let's start right THERE. With THAT lie.

GiqueCee

(3,313 posts)
66. What utter bullshit...
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 05:12 PM
Dec 4

... no one is going to "continue their drug run" when the boat is already blown to smithereens. What did President Sleazebag have on you that made you to agree to take the fall for an incompetent, drunken shitweasel with a neo-Nazi tattoo on his right tit?

BidenRocks

(2,697 posts)
71. Not in Japanese culture.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 07:08 PM
Dec 4

I do Seppuku and my second chops before I dishonor my death by jerking and other stuff.

Dishonorable death is the opposite.

Marcuse

(8,754 posts)
72. True, but this swordsman is not a yoriki. Hegseth delivered a similar coup d'gras. War crime or police crime?
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 07:28 PM
Dec 4

Bayard

(28,363 posts)
78. They really think we are as stupid as they are
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 11:55 PM
Dec 4

We are supposed to believe that a couple of guys, who were just blown up and clinging to wreckage, are planning on paddling on to the U.S. with their cargo (probably fish.) How do they keep a straight face when they're saying this?

GiqueCee

(3,313 posts)
79. Trump is a thug...
Fri Dec 5, 2025, 08:26 AM
Dec 5

... he threatens people with bodily harm to them and/or their loved ones. It is stochastic terrorism; the malignant filth that still worship his fat, pimply ass will do the wetwork because he's too old, weak, and cowardly to do it himself. His victims never know when, where, or by whom they might be attacked, which multiplies the terror aspect exponentially.
His lies no longer protect him, and he knows it, but because he's always doubled down, he'll continue to escalate his malice until he resorts to brazen mass murder. HINT: There's a very real possibility that he's on the brink of that monstrous crime even as we speak. The evidence is there for all to see, and we can't turn away because it's everywhere.
Watch your six.

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