Pentagon's inspector general Platte B. Moring III has delayed a decision on reviewing military targeting in Trump's boat strikes
The review would examine whether U.S. Southern Command followed proper targeting procedures in 44 strikes that killed 150 people
The delay comes amid questions about Moring's independence after Trump fired 17 inspectors general shortly after taking office
The boat strikes operation is legally controversial as there's no congressional authorization for military action against drug smugglers
📖 Full Retelling
The Pentagon's new inspector general Platte B. Moring III has frozen a proposal to evaluate military targeting in the Trump administration's strikes on boats suspected of smuggling cocaine from South America, telling staff he wanted to consult department leadership before deciding whether the review should go forward, raising concerns about potential political ramifications in a test of the watchdog system in President Trump's second term. The proposed project, developed by a unit of the office that assesses compliance, would examine whether the U.S. Southern Command has established and followed targeting practices and procedures in attacking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean. Since September, the military has carried out 44 strikes on boats it says were suspected of smuggling drugs, killing 150 people. The project has remained in limbo since Moring raised concerns about its political nature at a Feb. 11 meeting, with him neither approving nor rejecting the proposal.
The delay marks an early test of Moring's tenure and the independence of the watchdog system, which Congress created in the post-Watergate era to hunt for waste, fraud, abuse and illegality inside the executive branch. Days after taking office last year, President Trump fired at least 17 inspectors general, including the Pentagon's previous watchdog Robert Storch, raising questions about whether replacement inspectors general would act independently or align with the administration's political agenda. Moring, who had worked as a Pentagon lawyer for the first Trump administration and has no previous inspector general experience, was confirmed by the Senate in a party-line vote in late December 2025. His handling of this review will signal whether he views his role as an independent watchdog or as part of the Pentagon's leadership team.
The boat strikes operation has drawn significant legal and political controversy because there is no congressional authorization to wage war against drug smugglers, and the military is not permitted to deliberately kill civilians who pose no imminent threat. The administration maintains the strikes are lawful because Trump has "determined" that the United States is engaged in a formal armed conflict with a secret list of 24 drug trafficking organizations deemed terrorists. A review of targeting procedures could potentially embarrass the administration, as reports have indicated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth excluded many career military officials and lawyers from drafting the "execute order" that guides the boat strikes, resulting in early versions with significant gaps including language on handling survivors. The legal questions surrounding these strikes have already attracted congressional scrutiny and a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by relatives of individuals killed in an October 14 strike.
🏷️ Themes
Government Oversight, Military Operations, Political Independence
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
The Pentagon's inspector general's hesitation to review targeting in Trump's boat strikes tests the independence of the watchdog system established to prevent executive branch abuses. This situation is significant given the history of Trump administration attempts to limit inspector general oversight and the controversial nature of the boat strikes themselves.
Context & Background
Inspector Generals were created post-Watergate to ensure accountability within the executive branch.
The Trump administration significantly reduced the number of Inspectors Generals, raising concerns about independence.
The U.S. military has conducted numerous strikes on boats suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in civilian casualties and legal controversy.
What Happens Next
The inspector general's decision will likely depend on further consultation with department leadership and his assessment of potential political ramifications. Congressional oversight committees will likely seek access to any findings from the review, though it may be classified. The outcome will set a precedent for future inspector general reviews of sensitive military operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Inspector General's role?
Inspectors General are independent watchdogs within the executive branch tasked with investigating waste, fraud, abuse, and illegality.
Why are the boat strikes controversial?
The boat strikes are controversial due to the lack of congressional authorization for war against drug smugglers and concerns about civilian casualties, raising potential war crime implications.
What is the Inspector General Act?
The Inspector General Act empowers Inspectors General to investigate potential violations of law and report such matters to Congress, ensuring accountability within government agencies.
Original Source
Advertisement SKIP ADVERTISEMENT Supported by SKIP ADVERTISEMENT Pentagon Watchdog Stalls Proposal to Review Targeting in Trump’s Boat Strikes A new inspector general delayed a decision on whether to approve the project and is said to have raised its potential political ramifications, in a test of the watchdog system in President Trump’s second term. Listen to this article · 10:12 min Learn more Share full article By Charlie Savage Charlie Savage writes about national security and legal policy. He reported from Washington. Feb. 28, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET The Pentagon’s new inspector general has frozen a proposal to evaluate military targeting in the Trump administration’s strikes on boats suspected of smuggling cocaine from South America, telling his staff he wanted to consult department leadership before deciding whether the review should go forward, The New York Times has learned. The inspector general, Platte B. Moring III, also said to staff members at a Feb. 11 meeting that the proposed project sounded as if it could become highly political, according to a person briefed on the exchange. Since then, the project has remained in limbo, with Mr. Moring neither approving nor rejecting it. The proposal, developed by a unit of the office that assesses compliance, would examine whether the U.S. Southern Command has established and followed targeting practices and procedures in attacking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean. Since September, the military has carried out 44 strikes on boats it says were suspected of smuggling drugs, killing 150 people. The project’s fate has emerged as an early test of Mr. Moring’s tenure and of the independence of the watchdog system. Congress created the inspectors general in the post-Watergate era, charging them with hunting for waste, fraud, abuse and illegality inside the executive branch, even at the risk of embarrassing or irritating agency leaders. Days after taking office last year, President Trump fired at least 17 ins...
