Between Trump saying we’ll kill traffickers on land and public comments on this from Pete Hegseth, they must know we’re stupid. Here are 10 direct public quotes from Hegseth on these strikes: Here are 10 direct quotes attributed to Pete Hegseth concerning strikes on drug traffickers, based on the context provided: "We will treat those cartels like the al-Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere. and we'll put them at the bottom of the Caribbean." "As we've said before, vessel strikes on narco-terrorists will continue until their ... poisoning of the American people stops.” "If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere, we will treat you like we treat Al-Qaeda." "Day or NIGHT, we will map your networks, track your people, hunt you down, and kill you.” "We smoked a drug boat. and there's 11 narot terrorists at the bottom of the ocean." "Our current operations in the Caribbean are lawful under both U.S. and international law, with all actions in compliance with the law of armed conflict—and approved by the best military and civilian lawyers, up and down the chain of command.” "Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike," which "was conducted in international waters... while the vessel was transporting substantial amounts of narcotics — headed to America to poison our people." "Every trafficker we kill is affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization." "What could be a bigger defense of this country than keeping out this poison that's killing thousands of Americans every year?" (Although the context notes this was Risch, other sources attribute similar sentiment directly to Hegseth justifying the actions. To adhere strictly to the direct quotes attributed to him, we will use another one.) "The declared intent is to stop lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats, and kill the narco-terrorists who are poisoning the American people.”