Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended Navy Admiral Mitch Bradley on Monday, calling him “an American hero” amid reports that Bradley ordered the follow-up boat strike during a recent military operation in the Caribbean Sea.

Hegseth said he fully supports the admiral’s combat decisions, including those made during the September 2 mission, and emphasized that the Pentagon stands behind its commanders.

He added that the nation is “fortunate” to have leaders like Bradley and that the department will continue backing U.S. service members in the field.

Why It Matters

The White House on Monday also defended the actions of the Navy admiral who ordered a second strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean, saying the officer acted “within his authority and the law” during a S

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