Napolitano: Hegseth 'Should Be Prosecuted for a War Crime'

Tuesday, December 02, 2025

"And it gives me no pleasure to say what I'm about to say because I worked with Pete Hegseth for seven or eight years at Fox News. This is an act of a war crime, ordering survivors who the law requires be rescued instead to be murdered. There's absolutely no legal basis for it," Napolitano continued, adding: Everybody along the line who did it, from the Secretary of Defense to the admiral to the people who actually pulled the trigger should be prosecuted for a war crime for killing these two people.

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Newsmax Legal Analyst Andrew Napolitano Destroys Pete Hegseth in Stunning Commentary: 'Should Be Prosecuted for a War Crime!'

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-- Mediaite (@mediaite.com) Dec 2, 2025 at 12:46 PM

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Yes, he should. And Trump. Both of them know it, and both of them understand that keeping in power is the best way to avoid justice.

#1 | Posted by Zed at 2025-12-02 03:54 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

True. Though it may be that everyone other than DJT himself finds out they don't have the same Rwing SC protections that he does. They may wind up in prison while he becomes the next Pres of Israel.

#2 | Posted by Corky at 2025-12-02 08:11 PM | Reply | Funny: 1 | Newsworthy 1

When a Newsmax legal analyst is calling it a war crime, Kegbreath is in trouble.

#3 | Posted by anton at 2025-12-02 08:14 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, told soldiers under his command in Iraq to ignore legal advice about when they were permitted to kill enemy combatants under their rules of engagement.

Hegseth writes that in explaining the rules of engagement, the JAG officer "used the example of an identified enemy holding a rocket-propelled grenade", asking Hegseth's platoon: "Do you shoot at him?'"

"And my guys were like, Hell, yeah, we light him up,'" Hegseth writes.

According to Hegseth, the JAG officer responded: "Wrong answer, men. You are not authorized to fire at that man, until that RPG becomes a threat. It must be pointed at you with the intent to fire. That makes it a legal and proper engagement.'"

Hegseth writes that in response: "We sat in silence, stunned."

He then instructed his men to ignore the legal advice."

www.theguardian.com

#4 | Posted by Corky at 2025-12-02 09:47 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

"He then instructed his men to ignore the legal advice."

I wonder if any Republicans, especially Republican Veterans, would like to say if Hegseth gave his men an illegal order.

#5 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-02 10:02 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

There is no way that Admiral Bradley is going to fall on his sword for a drunkard. He will clearly state to Congress that he was following orders (not a good excuse, BTW). The the investigating committees will face the choice of NOT having Hegseth testify, or NOT searing him in for his testimony, OR having him lie under oath. This matter will end badly either for a decorated admiral, or for a drunken cabinet member.

PS to Congressmen and Senators reading this port: Ask Drinky Pete the nature of the meetings he attended, and who he met with, rather than hang around while a military operation was underway. Hijinks will then ensue...

#6 | Posted by catdog at 2025-12-03 08:27 AM | Reply

Listening to Kegsbreath throw the admirals under the bus yesterday, he knows what he is doing is murder.

The adminstration had 60 days to get approval from Congress but as usual the Guardians of Pedophiles live in fear of Dementia Don.

#7 | Posted by Nixon at 2025-12-03 08:58 AM | Reply

Yes yes anything... take the focus off Trumpanzee...

Ya know... Hillary... Obama... Biden... Bob Gates knew how to behave in a "situation-room" scenario... because they knew it was a place where you stay put until you know the job is done right... or as right as possible and not slip out the door for a self-congratulatory shot of whatever keeps you hammered.

It's so ironic to see how the MAGA Trumpanzees prefer the heavily "medicated"... and "drunkenly sedated" cast of cl0wns.

All the stars in this mash-up of stupid are AFU... virtually all the time.

#8 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2025-12-03 09:09 AM | Reply

USSECDEF Peter Brian Hegseth is alleged to have ordered the commission of a war crime which was dutifully obeyed by his chain-of-command, just like the willing subordinates of Russia President Vladimir Putin and Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

These two blackguards have been indicted for war crimes by the ICC and international arrest warrants remain active for them. Under the rubric of 'universal jurisdiction,' the Istanbul Public Prosecutor in Turkiye issued arrest warrants for 33 alleged Israeli war criminals, including the nefarious Benjamin Netanyahu.

To ensure a fair and impartial trial, this point cannot be emphasized enough: All allegations of war crimes are merely accusations. Messrs Peter Brian Hegseth, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Vladimir Putin must all be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt at an international tribunal which will be held for them at a future date within the Hague.

At any time, the US Congress may begin the impeachment process of USSECDEF Peter Brian Hegseth, which in essence will be a trial where the US Senate acts as the jury and the judge will be SCOTUS Chief Justice John Roberts.

#9 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-12-03 09:33 AM | Reply

I guess Obama should too. he dropped over 22,000 bombs killing innocent folks, nothing said from the Left

#10 | Posted by Maverick at 2025-12-03 09:34 AM | Reply

nothing said from the Left

#10 | Posted by Maverick

liar

#11 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-12-03 09:49 AM | Reply

I guess Obama should too. he dropped over 22,000 bombs killing innocent folks, nothing said from the Left

#10 | POSTED BY MAVERICK

I guess that Congress should take back its war powers.

Let's start with Trump. He is, after all, president.

#12 | Posted by Zed at 2025-12-03 10:22 AM | Reply

I guess Obama should too. he dropped over 22,000 bombs killing innocent folks, nothing said from the Left

#10 | Posted by Maverick

Well, I am completely shocked that a Trumper idiot would be so clueless as to what the actual situation is.

#13 | Posted by jpw at 2025-12-03 10:36 AM | Reply

I guess Obama should too. he dropped over 22,000 bombs killing innocent folks, nothing said from the Left
#10 | Posted by Maverick

Can you show us where Congress authorized bombing Venezuelan fishing boats?
No you can't. Nothing from the Right but Hot Air and False Equivalencies.

#14 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-03 11:29 AM | Reply

Yes, prosecute B. Hussein as well! You fu ck ing cultists go ahead and charge every Dem with whatever crime you think they committed. As long as you keep your house clean as well, I really don't give a s h i t. Just like with the Epstein Files! If Dems committed crimes, prosecute! This whatsaboutism is complete BS! You fu ck in cultists will ignore crimes committed by Republicans because you THINK Dems also committed crimes!!! This is why people accuse you of being in a fu ck ing cult!!

Swallow it.

#15 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2025-12-03 11:33 AM | Reply

"Argh! Stupid Nobel Peace Prize winning Barack Obama who got Usama Bin Laden! Gargh!"

#16 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-12-03 11:34 AM | Reply

" 15 | POSTED BY RSTYBEACH11 AT 2025-12-03 11:33 AM | FLAG: "

You are dumb. In person I could bully you around and make you quiver in fear. Grrrrr!!!!

#17 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-12-03 11:48 AM | Reply

#17 | Posted by BellRinger

And you're in a cult, JEFF. It's okay to agree with me. You're not going to lose a testicle of you do, so quit crying and just step away from the cult. Your family depends on it.

#18 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2025-12-03 12:03 PM | Reply

" 18 | POSTED BY RSTYBEACH11 AT 2025-12-03 12:03 PM | FLAG: "

I was 100% clowning. My post wasn't remotely serious. I was trying to make you laugh by acting all tough.

#19 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-12-03 12:19 PM | Reply

#19 | Posted by BellRinger

REALLY?!?!?!? That's so funny. Because everything in my post was 100% honest, JEFF.

#20 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2025-12-03 12:21 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Yep! I was just effing around.

#21 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-12-03 12:24 PM | Reply

Rstybeach,

I hate the current level of polarization. When it comes to politics various factions will barely even engage in discussion anymore. I really do believe it will swing back - as Americans we all have some shared values. I just j hope it happens sooner than later.

#22 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-12-03 12:30 PM | Reply

Yep! I was just effing around.
#21 | Posted by BellRinger

That's all you ever do.
You're the boy who cried "Just Joking!"

#23 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-03 12:31 PM | Reply

"I hate the current level of polarization"

You are the current level of polarization, JeffJ.

#24 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-03 12:32 PM | Reply

" funny. Because everything in my post was 100% honest, JEFF.

#20 | POSTED BY RSTYBEACH11 AT"

The testicle comment drew a chuckle.

#25 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-12-03 12:32 PM | Reply

"When it comes to politics various factions will barely even engage in discussion anymore."

Wanna know why?

"Yep! I was just effing around."

#26 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-03 12:32 PM | Reply

"as Americans we all have some shared values"

No kings?

#27 | Posted by Zed at 2025-12-03 12:35 PM | Reply

#22 you thrive on the polarization, bell boi.

Hell, you actively contribute to it.

#28 | Posted by A_Friend at 2025-12-03 01:20 PM | Reply

It's the main course here. Polarization and the manufacturing of wedge issues.

#29 | Posted by eberly at 2025-12-03 01:21 PM | Reply

"Polarization and the manufacturing of wedge issues."

Charlie Kirk's Ghost, welcome to the Drudge Retort.

#30 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-03 01:23 PM | Reply

Polarization and the manufacturing of wedge issues.
#29 | Posted by eberly

White House hits back at Sabrina Carpenter as they admit 'we won't apologize'

"White House officials told Zeteo that the Trump administration uses popular music in its videos, including "vocally anti-Trump performing artists, in order to trigger a negative response from a famous liberal and provide further amplification of their pervasive culture war."

"We do it on purpose," one White House official told the outlet."
www.irishstar.com

Congratulations, Republicans.
You Built That!

#31 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-03 02:46 PM | Reply