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Aaron Parnas's avatar

This admission is stunning, and I am hopping on the phones right now to talk to people on Capitol Hill to get reactions to this.

The White House is admitting to a war crime or murder, but putting the blame, not on the Secretary of Defense or Commander in Chief, but on an Admiral Bradley.

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Mia's avatar

They are passing the buck to protect the Tangerine Tyrant and Hegseth

MzCherryQueen's avatar

That's exactly it Mia, they will never hold themselves accountable for anything

C McDonald's avatar

Can't pass buck this time. Trump is it as is Hegspeth.

Mia's avatar

I hope you're right

Peter Tey's avatar

Much depend on Congress to pursue this. This regime will never pursue it, the DOJ, FBI, Attorney General are all complicit in cover ups

C McDonald's avatar

With the number in House tipping to blue (election tomorrow fingers crossed) and upcoming rep resignations as red rats escape Trump's sinking ship, there is hope. Keep pressure up and on. Like Epstein files.

Peter Tey's avatar

There is hope. But as you say, A LOT OF WORK STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE___keep resisting

Steph Jay's avatar

Thank you, Aaron! I am trying to catch up on all of the news I missed while working today. Perhaps, I missed this, but the reporters need to ask KKKaroline Leavitt why POTUS pardoning drug dealers currently.

Patricia Reed's avatar

We cannot allow this to happen - again!

Michael Rawlins's avatar

In what alternate universe was the 1st strike in international waters legal. The USN have drones and telescopes with lenses the size of whale’s dicks. They would've known if they were armed and dangerous. And what proof have they got that they were drug traffickers and not just ordinary citizens. And if they were heading away from the US ships, then how can attacking them be described as an act of self defense. And even if they were drug traffickers, drug trafficking is a crime, not a terrorist activity.

And if drug trafficking is a terrorist activity, then why did Trump pardon Hernandez, who took bribes to look the other way, from cartels who imported 500 tons of cocaine into the US.

Gutterdandy's avatar

There is no declared war with any country in South America. So this is flat out murder.

Chris Steinert's avatar

Hernandez people gave a lot of money to Trump...which is why he was pardoned.

Michael Rawlins's avatar

So basically, he was bribed to look the other way, just like Hernandez was. I wouldn't be surprised, if the boats he sunk and were drug trafficking drugs, were a rival cartel to the cartel Hernandez receives bribes from. Giving Hernandez cartel a monopoly.

Louise Purfield-Coak's avatar

Not just look away, but actively release this felon back out to run things. All this bombing and burning of fishing boats at sea is just putting on a show for the public! Hernandez isn't the first big time trafficker that Trump has pardoned. The Orange Orc is as amoral as they come! He doesn't really care about drugs, the more deaths by overdose the less people he has to share the US Treasury with.

Faye Newman's avatar

Of course it was. Was there ever any doubt? And it was a lotof money for him to take the heat for pardoning a drug dealer while he was busy shooting "alleged " drug dealers out of the water.

Bela's avatar

How big is a whale's dick?

Michael Rawlins's avatar

Let's just say, you wouldn't want it shoved up you.

mer t's avatar

there's a museum in Iceland that has all manner of dicks on display... except for humans, I think (although there is probably a waiting list of volunteeers)

Michael Rawlins's avatar

It's not something that would interest me. I prefer something by Banksy, which is preferably not fallic in nature. But that's just the sort of guy I am.

Faye Newman's avatar

LOL. Google it and share.

Louise Purfield-Coak's avatar

Exactly, Spot On! A few days ago, I predicted that Trump would pull his usual,'I hardly know the guy' act about Hegseth to cover himself politically from the fallout from this. I was wrong! They are going to throw a former Navy Seal Commander now Admiral, under the bus instead! All that cozying up to Cadets at the Academies has been for naught by Humpty Dumpty, because military members, Service wide must be about lit up in flaming anger right now! After wrecking the intelligence agencies and the FBI, Putin's Destroyer Donald is now busy destroying the moral of the Military! Putin sure is getting his money's worth funding all those Twitter influencer accounts on X.

sonotserious's avatar

This is exactly why the members of the military need to question their orders and refuse to follow illegal orders. We all know damn well Trump and Kegseth were behind this.

Peter Tey's avatar

That is the point of Mark Kelly and comrades in their statement

Peter Tey's avatar

You are absolutely correct. The military bosses have to be courageous, they can not depend on the regime to decide right or wrong

Punkette's avatar

We need to bombard our senators and representatives and demand Hegseth’s removal. There is no way in hell that Adm. Bradley made this decision alone; not with two egomaniacs in charge, like Don the Con and Whiskey Pete.

MollyWhitebear's avatar

I wondered who they were going to shift the blame to. Typical MAGAt move.

Eva Eli's avatar

They get confused when they try to get out of trouble

Tris Paniccia's avatar

There’s always a scapegoat 🤷🏻‍♀️

Cindy's avatar

Aaron, you are an incredible reporter!! You have to know that your work and sacrifice is more than appreciated! You have courage to find the truth and that's hard to come by.💙💙

Anastasia Pantsios's avatar

They want us to believe Admiral Bradley decided this on his own with no input from Trump or Hegseth? How gullible do they think we are? (OK, there are a lot of gullible people, considering that Trump got elected, but still ...)

Georgia's avatar

I am so tired of Drug dealers are forcing Americans to take drugs!!! Give me a break. I have heard this stuff since I was 10 years old!! No one forces you to drugs!! We should be spending this money on treatment centers!!!

S. A. Linden's avatar

As well it's absurd that they're ranting about drugs coming from the wrong places while Trump is pardoning really evil narco-terrorists that took YEARS for the feds to nab. All that taxpayer funded effort wasted . . .only to set them loose with minimal time served.

My take is that "Trump hates drugs," but caters to the powerful drug lords who LOVE to trade and market drugs to Americans.

Because as we all know, Trump has a nose for power in any quarter, no matter how rotten.

Louise Purfield-Coak's avatar

We should do like Canada and legalize it all. With it legal there is no smuggling, and all the money and treasure spent on law enforcement and interdiction could be spent on treatment and improving the lives of Americans so they don't feel they have to be high to survive! Self Medicating!

Faye Newman's avatar

You're right! No demand, no supply,

Bela's avatar

not called lyin' leavitt for no reason

Marty's avatar

As a "reported" christian, she violates the 9th Commandment (if she even knows what they are) every time she speaks. She's a disgrace.

S. A. Linden's avatar

She doesn't wear her cross when she's having to lie for Trump. My god, it's a wonder Karoline's tongue doesn't catch fire.

Ruth Vondracek's avatar

Just trying to protect Hogshead and Trump by picking a scapegoat. Wasn't there a tape?

Susan Melnik's avatar

Our admirals and generals will be resigning right and left if they see the admin issuing illegal orders and then using them as scapegoats afterwards. Militaries crumble when trust and morale evaporate.

Connie Nichols's avatar

Maybe they will consider protecting us from domestic enemies like their oath states they are to do. In the movies it's aliens or North Koreans who attack our country but in reality it's white Christian nationalist rich men who are actual citizens taking us down.

Peter Tey's avatar

Remember what Senator Mark Kelly and comrades said___ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION IS GUILTY. That is from from the top (Orangehead, Pete Hegseth) down

Wendy C Johnson's avatar

I had to Google Bradley, it said he started holding his new position on Oct 3rd of this year..what day was the strike?

Marty's avatar

September 2nd I think

Faye Newman's avatar

HMMM. Little issue of logistics there, huh?

Marie's avatar

Then why is the president pardoning a convicted drug trafficker from Honduras?!?!?

Linda Heath's avatar

Ex-Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández said he wanted to "'shove the drugs right up the noses of the gringos' by flooding the United States with cocaine."

That's the man trump pardoned. TRUMP pardoned this man!! Biggest drug dealer that hurt more AMERICANS, but you know Trump can be bought!

DDav's avatar

Thank you for your work Aaron! The citizens of the United States need to know the truth! The administration needs to be held accountable.

Lana Keane's avatar

Read this: https://substack.com/home/post/p-180390669

This was the best summary I've seen thus far of what is going on with this pardon. Tech Oligarchs have their fingers in everything.

TLDR: It's about protecting their new promised (is)land Prospera

Marty's avatar

Paul Krugman is always spot on. Good link!

Candace Lynn Talmadge's avatar

What Paula said. Read Aaron's father, Lev Parnas.

Faye Newman's avatar

Or Google and watch the documentary he made with Rachel Maddow.

virginia arthur's avatar

Exactly. That person is very wealthy. I am sure he “gifted” trump with a donation. That pardon and a lot of others need to be investigated.

Peter Tey's avatar

Just like the crypto billionaire

Peter Tey's avatar

Just the crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao

Dan Michael's avatar

Why the eff isn’t this question being asked in the press room. The only thing consistent with MAGA is the hypocrisy!

mer t's avatar

are we still expecting anything he does to make sense... except that there's something in it for him. every time!

Diane Lee's avatar

Money in the diaper pocket.

Deb Fyfe's avatar

It doesn't make sense, does it?!

Julianne Atkinson's avatar

Could you please name the convicted person to whom you refer?

Faye Newman's avatar

She did. On the first post.

Kevin W.'s avatar

Yes, I'd like to know that answer as well.

Faye Newman's avatar

Look above. Hos name is Hernandez.

Your Fave Indie Author 🌈🧿✨'s avatar

Parnas… I appreciate you sir. Thanks for all these reports and breaking the info down so clearly.

Kim Griffith's avatar

Also, it’s really unfortunate that they have to commit war crimes to distract from the fact that the Epstein files still have not been released

Sabrina's avatar

Let’s not let up. Where are those f files.

T Mac's avatar

Most incompetent administration ever.

Kathi Troy's avatar

Most corrupt administration ever!

Marty's avatar

I was just going to say the same!

Nancy Burgland's avatar

Has the White House proven to the public that there is a "threat" from these boats? Is there proof there is fentanyl on these boats? Is there proof these people are "narcoterrorists? If anyone has seen the proof please let us know!

Catherine Ognissanti's avatar

No, they blow up the boats with people in the boats. No evidence to prove there was any drugs on the boats. They justify killing what could be innocent fisherman. Even if they thought there was drugs, they need to capture them, put them on trial and have the evidence to prove it. Its just straight up murder and a violation of international law.

LadyHistorian's avatar

In the video, you could see into the boat. It was not laden with bales of anything.

Catherine Ognissanti's avatar

I figured there was no evidence of drugs. They just want to kill people and they don't care who they are, immigrants, supposed drug dealers or American citizens for that matter. None of us is safe until they are out of power.

Sheri's avatar

The line is “suspected”, not confirmed. There is no boarding to question and search.

Robot Bender's avatar

The procedure is supposed to be stop, search, release or detain. Blowing up the boats is not mentioned in the procedure.

These guys think they're in a Tom Clancy novel.

Jen's avatar

The administration is doing the ultimate “Trust me, Bro” on this. Absolutely pathetic

Stephanie Church's avatar

Aaron-in this video you say “no one is disputing that the first strike was lawful“ and that it was likely lawful??!! I don’t know why you would say this as each of these strikes is clearly murder. These are not armed combatants and drug running or trafficking is not a capital offense. In no scenario are any of these strikes lawful.

Aaron Parnas's avatar

That was a misspeak!

Bensen Solivan's avatar

Thank you. Agreed. I’m hoping he just misspoke.

Jen Fox's avatar

Yes! We are not at war with Venezuela, so it is MURDER.

Marie's avatar

In Defense?!?!? Of what?!?!?

Diane Lee's avatar

Illegal trafficking of super sized adult male diapers by the crate.

😂

Sherelle Diggs's avatar

. They threw this commander under the bus. @donaldtrump @petehecseth both are the most incompetent white men on earth

cameel Shonberg's avatar

Yes. I hope military members are seeing what happens when they follow illegal orders. I hope this will make them think about the PSA about their responsibility to not follow illegal orders.

Abby's avatar

He should have known better and that he would be sacrificed.

mer t's avatar

how about just saying "the most incompetent men on earth"??Not sure that they fit my definition of men, tho

Michael Reynolds's avatar

hedgehog has already admitted that he has allowed this

Trystan's avatar

that’s an insult to hedgehogs 🦔 😆

Amanda's avatar

I prefer kegsbreath 🤣

MollyWhitebear's avatar

That's what we call him. It's SO fitting.

Touchstone's avatar

Now it’s Kegsdeath.

Lauren Slater's avatar

I like your humor. I stand with you, and the hedgehogs!!

Trystan's avatar

thanks. i have a weird sense of humor, and it also comes in handy as a defense mechanism😄

Diane Lee's avatar

Yes, they're lovely little souls, so cute & friendly. We shouldn't insult any animals by making comparisons to the orange hellbeast and his swamp trolls. 🙂

Even insects & reptiles have more integrity & honor than this regime & it's demented leader.

Trystan's avatar

to be fair, yes.

but i think that could also be insulting to actual hellbeasts and swamp trolls. What would someone like Shrek say?😆

Diane Lee's avatar

🤣 love it.....ok, I guess we're going into the ebola/Marburg virus territory lmao.....or the Yersinia pestis category....😂

Alice in Whyland's avatar

It is NOT a war crime. We are NOT at war. It was murder. Period.

LadyHistorian's avatar

The United States is still subject to the Laws of the Sea, Which is handled by a different court located internationally in Hamburg, Germany.

Alice in Whyland's avatar

I don't believe the US is a party to UNCLOS so it would not apply

LadyHistorian's avatar

Perhaps if it wasn’t making use of America’s military power; and in light of the relocation of US Naval strike forces; and the thug’s stirring up trouble internationally to find a war somewhere/anywhere to try to keep himself in power forgetting that we do not have the same constitutional provisions as the Ukrainian Constitution does.

Nancy Karmiller's avatar

I’m sorry- how is it “acknowledged that the first strike is lawful”? If there is no evidence that the boats are carrying drugs, and it is extremely unlikely that they would be directly trafficking drugs into the US (given their small size and the distance between them and the US), then how is labeling them “terrorist” even remotely reasonable?

Krystina Stephenson's avatar

I've seen a report about a naval analysis that says those boats were incapable of reaching the U.S. as their range is far too limited. Venezuela also does NOT produce Fentanyl according to CIA reports!

MollyWhitebear's avatar

YES! And further, to reach the U.S., they'd have to refuel NUMEROUS times to get up here!

MollyWhitebear's avatar

This is what they do. They are always making accusations but never backing them up with evidence. That's why all his filings regarding the 2020 election were thrown out of courts because even Giuliani told a judge when asked that he didn't have evidence of their accusations other than MAGA sworn affidavits but no actual tangible evidence of such. That's how they roll.

MollyWhitebear's avatar

The first strike was not lawful. I don't know where he heard that it was, but every one of these strikes has been in question, including the first one, since this all began. NONE of these strikes were lawful as we are absolutely NOT at war with Venezuela and that Navy ship was NOT defending itself against that tiny, most likely unarmed, fishing boat.

Teresa's avatar

I want to see Pete Hegseth locked away and forgotten about.

Teresa's avatar

AKA “Mr. testosterone!”

Touchstone's avatar

Mr. Brylcreem. Nasty greasy mess—inside and out.

Charli29's avatar

I’m new to both Substack and your podcast. So far, I love your straight reporting and have found some other really good podcasts. You have a new fan. At 75, I like to hear truth, not BS. Thank you for your work.

Gerry's avatar

Then WHY IS 47 PARDONING DRUG TRAFFICKERS?

THERE IS NO PROOF THEY WERE NOCO TERRORIST BOATS.

FENTANYL IS NOT MADE IN VENEZUELA. THEY JUST WANT THEIR OIL.

THE BOATS WERE NOWHERE NEAR THE US.

Mary's avatar

They made up that name “narco terrorist” that’s what they do and idiots latch on and believe them.

Gerry's avatar

Sounds kinda like when they called us Antifa Terrorists

Melani's avatar

I also appreciate you more than you know! Keep up the flawless reporting of truth and justice

💙💙💙