Many Americans are urging Donald Trump to adhere to his famous catchphrase, “You’re fired,” and remove Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth from his cabinet. Hegseth is under fire for sanctioning strikes on Venezuelan drug vessels, particularly a controversial follow-up attack in September that eliminated two survivors. According to a recent Daily Mail/JL Partners poll, 54 percent of Americans believe Hegseth should be dismissed for these Pentagon-led actions.

While 26 percent support keeping him in his role and another 20 percent remain undecided, the numbers shift dramatically when the undecided option is removed. In that scenario, a striking 63 percent favor Hegseth’s removal. The poll, conducted between December 3-5, shortly after news of the second strike drew public criticism, still reveals a degree of backing for the Trump administration’s operations against Venezuela. Almost half of those surveyed endorse anti-narcoterrorism efforts, while 30 percent oppose the strikes.

The Trump administration defends its actions in the Caribbean and Atlantic, maintaining that they are in compliance with international laws governing armed conflict. However, legal experts and some members of Congress are raising alarms, arguing that the second strike may be a war crime since it targeted individuals who were hors de combat, or unable to fight due to injury. Despite these concerns, a substantial majority of Republicans—three-fourths—continue to support Hegseth’s presence in President Trump’s cabinet.

And nearly eight in 10 Democrats want him gone. The controversy all stems from the September 2, 2025 boat strike in the Caribbean Sea against a vessel the Trump administration claims was carrying cocaine en route to the US. A US missile strike disabled the speedboat and killed most on board. But two survivors were observed clinging to the wreckage and thought to be attempting to radio for help. Then a second missile strike was conducted that killed them.

Many have cited the Geneva Conventions, UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, international law on use of force and the US Law of War Manual as reasons why international law was violated in this case. Hegseth authorized the operation, including a contingency for follow-up action if the first strike failed to neutralize targets.

But he has denied specific ‘kill everybody’ orders. The White House and Pentagon appear to be making on-scene commander Adm. Frank Bradley the fall person, saying he was the one who ordered the second strike. Bradley testified before Congress on Thursday and confirmed it was his decision to authorize the strike based on a perceived ongoing threat.

Trump had signaled discomfort with the second strike, claiming he ‘wouldn’t have wanted that’ but insisting he trusts Hegseth’s leadership and Bradley’s decision-making. The president has also indicated preference towards escalating actions against Venezuela and Nicolas Maduro’s regime – even going as far to say US land strikes within the country’s borders could be the next step.