00:00Judge Napolitano suggests Hegseth should be prosecuted.
00:04Former Fox News legal analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano has sparked controversy after suggesting that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth could face prosecution over a military operation involving an alleged drug smuggling vessel in international waters.
00:19According to Napolitano, Hegseth allegedly ordered the killing of two survivors who were clinging to a burning drug boat following a military strike.
00:27Napolitano claimed that such an order, if verified, could amount to a war crime under international law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
00:36He rejected the White House's argument that the action was justified as self-defense.
00:41Napolitano argued that even suspected criminals are entitled to legal protections once they are no longer an immediate threat.
00:47He further stated that labeling the targets as narco-terrorists does not change the legal standards governing the use of lethal force.
00:54Supporters of the administration, however, argue the strike was part of a broader effort to dismantle powerful international drug trafficking networks responsible for moving deadly narcotics into the United States.
01:06They believe strong military action is necessary to disrupt cartel operations that contribute to the fentanyl crisis, devastating many American communities.
01:15The debate highlights a growing divide over how far military authorities should extend when combating international criminal organizations.
01:23Critics of Napolitano accuse him of focusing on legal technicalities while ignoring the real-world impact of drug trafficking.
01:31Supporters, meanwhile, argue that strict adherence to military law and international conventions is essential, even in high-risk operations.
01:38So far, the White House has not announced any investigation into the alleged incident, and no formal charges have been filed.
01:45The situation remains a matter of public debate, centered on the boundaries between national security, military authority, and the rule of law.
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