Pete Hegseth could be investigated for illegal orders by 5 different bodies – but none are likely to lead to charges

By: Joshua Kastenberg, University of New Mexico, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 4, 2025

Words: 1,301

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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By Joshua Kastenberg, University of New Mexico

News reports about a U.S. military attack on a boat in the Caribbean allegedly carrying drugs have raised critical questions about the military campaign against drug smugglers being carried out by the Trump administration in that region.

Among them: whether Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth or others face criminal liability for any of the attacks. Those attacks killed people alleged to have been involved in illegal …

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