Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was defiant in the face of criticism over his handling of strikes on alleged drug boats—including accusations, strongly denied, of war crimes—after the U.S. military announced its 22nd such strike on Thursday.

Andrew Kolvet, spokesman for the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, had posted to X: "Every new attack aimed at Pete Hegseth makes me want another narco drug boat blown up and sent to the bottom of the ocean."

After U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said it had struck another suspected drug-running vessel, this time in the eastern Pacific, Hegseth replied directly to Kolvet, saying: "Your wish is our command, Andrew. Just sunk another narco boat."

Hegseth's position as defense secretary has been under intense scrutiny since the beginning of h

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