WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Rand Paul (R-Ky.), speaking at a press conference Tuesday, directly accused newly appointed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth of either “lying” to the American public about his involvement in a controversial decision regarding drug-smuggling boats off the coast of Africa or being fundamentally “incompetent.”
Paul’s remarks centered on Hegseth’s contradictory statements. Earlier this week, while addressing personnel from an African nation where the incident occurred, President Trump initially supported the initial strike but dismissed a subsequent investigation into possible U.S. involvement in a second attack as unfounded.
However, Paul noted that the Post revealed Hegseth had personally ordered “kill everybody” directives for both potential strikes. This contradicted earlier official statements downplaying or denying US involvement beyond operational necessity. When confronted by reporters with this information, according to news reports released Friday, Secretary Hegseth initially denied any knowledge of such orders while simultaneously referencing them in his public remarks.
Paul expressed shock and outrage at the situation. “Do we think there’s any chance that,” Paul asked rhetorically during a press briefing, “on Sunday… Pete did not know there had been strikes following survivors?”
This line drew sharp criticism from Paul, who added: “I watched that first strike live. As you can imagine, at the Department of War, we got a lot of things to do… So I didn’t stick around for the hour and two hours where all the sensitive site exploitation digitally occurs.”
He went on to imply that the reported lack of awareness by Hegseth himself about subsequent actions was deeply concerning. “Adm. Bradley made the correct decision,” Paul cited, referencing a subordinate’s action in carrying out orders under fire.
“These kinds of attacks follow survivors for months after they’re released… This administration should be ashamed,” said Paul later during another segment focused on US foreign policy and military conduct abroad.
