US  Secretary of War Pete Hegseth faces a political firestorm over a September 2nd military strike on a suspected drug vessel that killed shipwreck survivors, an act international law experts have labeled a potential war crime. The White House is now pointing to a subordinate commander as the one who gave the final order, creating a rift in the administration's narrative and raising urgent questions of accountability.

The controversy threatens to engulf the new Trump administration, testing its adherence to the international rules of war and creating unease among global partners. For nations like Kenya, which rely on a stable, rules-based international order, the spectacle of a superpower's leadership equivocating on the legality of killing helpless survivors raises profound concerns about global security and the erosion of established military conduct.

The White House confirmed that a second strike was launched against survivors of the initial attack in the Caribbean Sea. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the action as legal "self-defense to protect Americans" and stated that Navy Vice Admiral Frank Bradley, the commander in charge, "worked well within his authority and the law." This came after President Trump himself noted he "wouldn't have wanted that – not a second strike."

Hegseth, however, appears to be shifting responsibility. Despite telling a TV program the day after the attack, "I watched it live," he now suggests the decision to kill the survivors was made by the on-scene commander. This has reportedly caused a furious backlash within the Pentagon, with officials concerned that Admiral Bradley is being set up to take the fall.

A Widening Political Storm

The incident has triggered bipartisan alarm in the US Congress, with lawmakers demanding investigations and the release of video evidence. Vice Admiral Bradley is scheduled to provide a classified briefing to lawmakers on Thursday, a session that could prove pivotal.

The crisis over the strike is compounded by other controversies facing the administration, painting a picture of a government under siege:

• Unlawful Appointment: A federal appeals court ruled that former Trump personal lawyer, Alina Habba, is serving unlawfully as the US Attorney for New Jersey.
• Dehumanizing Language: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been sharply criticized for using language on social media to describe immigrants that mirrors terms used by white supremacists.
• Bizarre Imagery: In a strange twist, the Canadian publisher of the beloved "Franklin the Turtle" children's books condemned Hegseth for his "unauthorized" and "violent" use of the character's image in a social media post defending the strikes.

As Washington braces for Admiral Bradley's testimony, the world watches. The outcome will not only determine the fate of a high-ranking US official but will also send a powerful signal about whether the established laws of armed conflict will be upheld or rewritten in an increasingly turbulent world.