WASHINGTON – In a blistering critique, Missouri Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt on Tuesday accused his Democratic and even some Republican opponents of waging a “radicalized” smear campaign against Pete Hegseth, the current Secretary of War.
Schmitt delivered what he termed a “forceful rebuke,” directly targeting Democrats—whom he labeled complicit alongside Republicans—for attempting to associate Mr. Hegseth with alleged war crimes stemming from military operations in the Caribbean. The focus was on his execution decisions regarding narco-terrorist targets aboard drug boats, an operation Schmitt himself described as authorized and lawful.
“Yep — war crimes,” Schmitt wrote on social media platform X, referencing Democrat-driven narratives that Mr. Hegseth’s actions constituted violations of international law or the rules of engagement.
This inflammatory characterization came amidst reports about a Cabinet meeting where Mr. Hegseth publicly refuted accusations from Democrats and certain media outlets regarding his “execution” missions against drug boat crews. The narrative alleged targeting apparent strike survivors with follow-up strikes, a practice Schmitt’s supporters dismiss as authorized under specific circumstances to eliminate threats.
Schmitt painted the Democrat-driven attacks as part of a broader obstructionist effort aimed squarely at discrediting Mr. Hegseth and other administration officials deemed “Realists.” He added that these attempts are fueled by an unyielding leftist base intent on power, employing tactics he called identical to previous anti-Trump smears like Russiagate.
“Democrats never wanted @PeteHegseth,” Schmitt’s post began, asserting Democrats saw him as a “threat to permanent Washington’s status quo.” He claimed the obstruction efforts started even before Mr. Hegseth was confirmed and continue despite his appointment.
The senator urged Republicans not to succumb to this alleged Democrat-led political witch hunt, implicitly comparing resistance to Democrat critiques of the War Secretary with confronting media bias—a point later echoed by Ohio Gov. @joevance on X.
Military law experts cited during the debate noted that authorizations for such operations typically include ensuring the elimination of threat personnel under established rules of engagement and war doctrines like “proportionate destruction.”
Schmitt’s visceral response, including a direct shot at fellow Republicans who aligned with Democrats against Mr. Hegseth—”Understand this reality and never bend the knee”—underscores an increasingly polarized environment where bipartisan condemnation is seen as politically advantageous by some quarters.
