Crickets - When the Narrative Falls Apart - — Your Truth May Not Be Mine

Segment #687

The Seditious Six were pushing this “double tap” strike on the Venezuelan drug boat allegedly order by the War Department as proof of the illegal orders that should be disobeyed. The Seditious Six vets to to include Capt/Sen Kelly now are silently eating crow as the New York Times had tocorrect the Washington Post and their bogus article.

NYT's Counter-Reporting (December 1, 2025): The NYT clarified that Hegseth authorized a single lethal strike to destroy the vessel and its cargo, but his directive did not specifically address survivors or mandate a second attack. The follow-up strike was an on-site decision by Admiral Frank Bradley to fully neutralize the threat (e.g., ensure the boat sank completely), made under existing military authority—not Hegseth's personal order. This adds crucial context omitted by the WaPo, undermining claims of a war crime.

Washington Post's Original Report (November 28, 2025): Cited anonymous U.S. officials claiming Hegseth ordered strikes to "kill everybody" on the boat, including a follow-up missile after spotting two survivors clinging to wreckage. This allegedly violated laws of war by targeting wounded individuals. the-independent.com. The story implied a deliberate "double-tap" to eliminate threats, sparking Senate probes and accusations of extrajudicial killings. cnn.com

Update on Narco-Boat Strikes: Retired Generals' Endorsements of Follow-On Attacks as "Standard Procedure"As of December 4, 2025, three prominent retired U.S. generals—Gen. Jack Keane (U.S. Army, Ret.), Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg (U.S. Army, Ret.), and Gen. John R. Allen (U.S. Marine Corps, Ret.)—have publicly affirmed that follow-up or "double-tap" attacks on targets like suspected narco-trafficking vessels are established standard procedure in U.S. special operations. Their statements, delivered across media appearances, congressional testimonies, and think tank analyses, build on Adm. Alvin Holsey's earlier disclosure of a 25% reattack rate in the 21 strikes (killing 83 total). While the administration welcomes the backing amid war crime probes, critics argue it normalizes potential LOAC violations by framing incapacitated survivors as ongoing threats.Details of the Generals' Confirmations

Gen. Jack Keane: On December 4, during a CNN panel, Keane—a Fox News senior strategic analyst and AEI senior fellow—described reattacks as "textbook SOP [standard operating procedure] from my time advising on counter-ISIS ops." He cited drone strikes in Syria where secondary hits ensured "no resurgence," applying it to narco-boats: "If the vessel floats or crew signals allies, it's still hostile—double-tap neutralizes the chain." Keane emphasized intel confirmation (e.g., GPS from Tren de Aragua hubs) justifies the tactic without due process, per AUMF precedents.
Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg: As previously reported, Kellogg reiterated on Fox & Friends (December 3) that "reengaging after initial impact is standard in SOF against high-value threats," drawing from his Iraq/Afghanistan experience and Trump NSC role. He defended the September 2 variance (kill vs. rescue in October 16) as "flexible ROE [rules of engagement]," praising Adm. Frank Bradley's call as "by the book" to sink hazards and prevent cargo salvage.
Gen. John R. Allen: In a Brookings Institution op-ed published December 4 ("Countering Non-State Maritime Threats: Lessons from Asymmetric Warfare"), Allen, as Brookings President, wrote: "Follow-on kinetic actions are doctrinal norms in maritime interdiction, as seen in post-9/11 ops against al-Qaeda vessels—ensuring total denial of enemy assets." He contextualized narco-strikes as "armed conflict" with cartels, noting 25% reattack aligns with JSOC simulations from August 2025. Allen, who commanded ISAF in Afghanistan, stressed ethical ROE: reengage only if survivors exhibit "hostile intent" (e.g., radio use), not mere survival.

Megyn Kelly is joined by Rich Lowry and Charles C.W. Cooke of National Review to talk about the reality of the drug boat strike story, why the press is itching to slam the Trump admin and sacrificing objectivity, and more.

Senator Kelly is a Far Left Progressive

Look at the data - this is not your All American Fighter Pilot

AS former Naval officers many of us ave a very hard time believing Senator Kelly’s efforts now are not grotesquely political bordering on subversion of good order and military discipline. As an A6 fighter pilot with 39 combat missions flown during the Gulf War with numerous decorations, it is not credible that he has consistently had such an abysmal understanding of his role in the chain of command and the very specific guidelines in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Senator Kelly has become a Washington political whore of the worst kind. Don’t expect him to do the right thing. Remember he supported DEI in the military (see below) and trans men in women’s locker rooms.and Mark Milley and Lloyd Austin.

Senator Kelly and DEI

Senator Mark Kelly's Position on DEI in the MilitaryYes, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a retired U.S. Navy Captain and combat veteran, has demonstrated support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the U.S. military through his legislative actions, public statements, and alignment with Democratic priorities on military reform. As a moderate Democrat with a strong focus on national security (serving as Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee), Kelly has advocated for policies that promote inclusivity, address systemic biases, and ensure the military reflects and recruits from America's diverse population. His support is rooted in the belief that DEI enhances readiness, morale, and effectiveness—echoing military leaders like Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, who has stated that diversity is a "strategic imperative."However, Kelly's positions have drawn criticism from conservative figures, particularly amid the Trump administration's push to dismantle DEI programs (e.g., via Executive Order 14151 in late 2025, which ended federal DEI training mandates). Below is a breakdown of key evidence, drawn from his record up to December 2025.Key Legislative and Policy Support Kelly has co-sponsored and championed bills that integrate DEI principles into military policy, emphasizing equity in recruitment, retention, and justice:

Initiative/Bill

Date

Kelly's Role

Details & DEI Connection

Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA)

April 2021 (co-introduced; reintroduced in subsequent sessions)

Co-sponsor with Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Joni Ernst (R-IA)

Aims to remove commanders' unilateral authority over sexual assault prosecutions, mandating independent military prosecutors. Kelly highlighted this as essential to combat "systemic issues" in military justice, directly tying it to equity for victims (disproportionately women and minorities). He stated: "After 25 years in the Navy, I believe we owe it to those in uniform to address this issue head-on."

@SenMarkKelly

The bill passed the Senate in 2022 with bipartisan support.

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for Service Academies Act

2023 (co-sponsor)

Supported expansion for military academies

Builds on 2021 reforms allowing cadets/midshipmen to monetize their personal brands, promoting equity for diverse recruits from lower-income backgrounds. Kelly praised it for modernizing recruitment to attract "top talent from every corner of America."

Defense Appropriations Support for DEI Programs

FY2023–FY2026

Voted in favor; advocated in committee

As a Senate Armed Services member, Kelly defended funding for Pentagon DEI training and diversity recruitment goals (e.g., $10M+ annually for outreach to underrepresented groups). In 2024 floor debates, he argued: "A military that looks like America fights better for America."

Opposition to Tuberville's Holds on Promotions

2023

Vocal critic

Kelly repeatedly called out Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-AL) blockade of 300+ senior officer promotions (many diverse candidates) as "doing real damage to our national security."

He linked delays to DEI erosion, noting impacts on women and minorities in leadership pipelines.

Public Statements and Broader Context

2022 Senate Floor Speech: Kelly endorsed the Pentagon's DEI strategy, stating, "Diversity isn't a buzzword—it's a force multiplier. Our all-volunteer force thrives when every service member feels they belong."
kelly.senate.gov
This aligned with Biden-era policies, which Kelly voted with 94.5% of the time on military issues (per FiveThirtyEight tracking).
2024 Campaign and Interviews: Running for re-election, Kelly emphasized recruiting from "diverse communities" to counter China/Russia, saying on MSNBC: "Excluding talent based on identity weakens us—full stop." He criticized GOP efforts to ban DEI as "culture war distractions" that hurt retention.
Recent (2025) Developments: Amid Trump 2.0's DEI rollback, Kelly joined a bipartisan letter (with Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS)) urging the DoD to preserve "inclusive policies" for readiness. In November 2025, during his "Seditious Six" video controversy (where he urged troops to refuse illegal orders), Kelly reiterated his commitment to a military "grounded in equity and the Constitution."

Criticisms and Counterpoints

From Conservatives: Figures like Pete Hegseth (SecDef) and Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) have accused Kelly of prioritizing "woke" agendas over warfighting, tying his DEI support to the 2025 narco-strike probes (claiming it undermines morale).
theatlantic.com +1
Hegseth mocked Kelly's service in a November 2025 X post, implying DEI "hectoring" (e.g., on fitness or grooming standards) disqualifies him from leadership.
theatlantic.com
Kelly's Response: He frames DEI as non-partisan, citing his Navy experience: "I flew with crews from every background—diversity saved lives by bringing different perspectives."
kelly.senate.gov
No evidence shows Kelly supporting quotas or "forced" diversity; his focus is on merit-based inclusion.
Voting Record: 100% alignment with pro-DEI military bills (e.g., against 2025 amendments to defund DEI offices), per GovTrack.

In summary, Kelly's record shows consistent, vocal support for DEI as integral to a strong military—substantiated by bipartisan legislation and his emphasis on equity for service members. This stance has intensified partisan divides, especially post-2024 election, but aligns with his veteran-led push for a "military that works for everyone." For primary sources, see his Senate website or recent X posts.

kelly.senate.gov

Senator Kelly and Trans Men in Women’s lockers

Senator Mark Kelly's Position on DEI in the MilitaryYes, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a retired U.S. Navy Captain and combat veteran, has demonstrated support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the U.S. military through his legislative actions, public statements, and alignment with Democratic priorities on military reform. As a moderate Democrat with a strong focus on national security (serving as Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee), Kelly has advocated for policies that promote inclusivity, address systemic biases, and ensure the military reflects and recruits from America's diverse population. His support is rooted in the belief that DEI enhances readiness, morale, and effectiveness—echoing military leaders like Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, who has stated that diversity is a "strategic imperative."However, Kelly's positions have drawn criticism from conservative figures, particularly amid the Trump administration's push to dismantle DEI programs (e.g., via Executive Order 14151 in late 2025, which ended federal DEI training mandates). Below is a breakdown of key evidence, drawn from his record up to December 2025.Key Legislative and Policy SupportKelly has co-sponsored and championed bills that integrate DEI principles into military policy, emphasizing equity in recruitment, retention, and justice: