War Crimes Accusations Against Trump Official Ignite Backlash
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 13: U.S. President Donald Trump looks on following Chelsea FC victory during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – A new wave of controversy erupted Tuesday as Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., issued a scathing critique against Democrats for intensifying smear campaigns targeting President Joe Biden’s War Secretary, Pete Hegseth.
In a series of powerful posts on the social media platform X, Schmitt characterized ongoing allegations from some quarters—which initially targeted Republicans—as an attempt to falsely label legitimate military operations as “war crimes.” Specifically referencing authorized lethal airstrikes against drug boats in the Caribbean, he dismissed the claims as politically motivated and unfounded. The senator’s post, which quickly gained traction, explicitly framed the accusations as a deliberate effort by Democrats to obstruct the Trump administration.
“Yep — war crimes,” Schmitt wrote, summarizing allegations that sought to discredit Hegseth for his lawful actions against narco-terrorist targets. “They intend to prosecute another political opponent… They have lost it.” He further alleged that Democratic obstruction was driven by a radicalized base fueled by an ambition to consolidate power without regard for legal or procedural norms.
Similar sentiments were echoed earlier in the day by Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, who reportedly supported Schmitt’s characterization of Democrats’ actions before they were discussed further at a Cabinet meeting where Hegseth addressed the matter personally.
Hegseth himself refuted the allegations during Tuesday’s 2½-hour Cabinet session. He asserted that his authorized strikes adhered strictly to law and military doctrine, emphasizing the need for complete elimination of narco-terrorism threats under the rules governing wartime actions.
Schmitt, drawing upon years as Missouri Attorney General with a deep expertise in legal governance, stressed that the Democrats’ “smear attempts will not stop” and called on Republicans to resist joining their narrative. He noted that these tactics represent an established pattern meant to undermine administration figures perceived as challenging entrenched interests or advancing a more realistic foreign policy stance.
Military law specialists point out that while allegations of war crimes focus on specific interpretations like avoiding surrendering targets, the broader authorization for such strikes includes legal frameworks ensuring mission-related destruction under the Law of War. Their analysis suggests Hegseth’s actions were within bounds provided he maintained adherence to established military objectives and rules governing force application.
The senator’s call highlights growing internal friction regarding how the party should navigate what it portrays as increasingly aggressive and unsubstantiated political attacks from the opposing side.
