The White House confirmed there was a second strike on a boat it alleges was trafficking narcotics in international waters back in September and is defending the decision.

The comment follows a Washington Post report alleging that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered forces to kill everyone on the boats, leading to a second strike that killed survivors of the initial attack.

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The White House says the order for the specific strike in September came from Adm. Frank Mitch Bradley, not directly from Hegseth. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt maintained that the admiral acted within his authority and that the follow-up strike was lawful.

"Admiral Bradley worked well within his author

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