Peter Beaumont
@petersbeaumont1.bsky.social
Senior international correspondent at The Guardian. Author of the Secret Life of War. Orwell Prize winner.
Pinned
First rule of Maga. No one knows anything. No one sees anything. No one is ever in the loop
December 3, 2025 at 10:40 AM
First rule of Maga. No one knows anything. No one sees anything. No one is ever in the loop
The "fog of extrajudicial murder." www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
December 3, 2025 at 10:28 AM
The "fog of extrajudicial murder." www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
Nigel Farage was a racist bully at school but Rachel Reeves won the wrong chess championship so who can say who is worse?
December 2, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Nigel Farage was a racist bully at school but Rachel Reeves won the wrong chess championship so who can say who is worse?
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
Current obsession: photos of Siouxsie Sioux and Pam Hogg over the years getting absolutely munted together
November 27, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Current obsession: photos of Siouxsie Sioux and Pam Hogg over the years getting absolutely munted together
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
No, you can’t shoot survivors hanging on for dear life to boat debris. And no, you can’t shoot suspected drug smugglers, either. This entire operation is illegal. Here’s why.
www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
Getting Away with Murder | David Cole
During his first presidential campaign Donald Trump famously claimed that he could “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” and not lose
www.nybooks.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:37 AM
No, you can’t shoot survivors hanging on for dear life to boat debris. And no, you can’t shoot suspected drug smugglers, either. This entire operation is illegal. Here’s why.
www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
A most important question on the Sept. 2 double-tap strike is who had "target engagement authority" (TEA).
Wall Street Journal:
"A Defense Department official ... said Hegseth was the 'target engagement authority,' the key figure who authorized the strike."
www.wsj.com/politics/whi...
Wall Street Journal:
"A Defense Department official ... said Hegseth was the 'target engagement authority,' the key figure who authorized the strike."
www.wsj.com/politics/whi...
December 2, 2025 at 2:01 PM
A most important question on the Sept. 2 double-tap strike is who had "target engagement authority" (TEA).
Wall Street Journal:
"A Defense Department official ... said Hegseth was the 'target engagement authority,' the key figure who authorized the strike."
www.wsj.com/politics/whi...
Wall Street Journal:
"A Defense Department official ... said Hegseth was the 'target engagement authority,' the key figure who authorized the strike."
www.wsj.com/politics/whi...
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
Matt Gaetz, James O’Keefe, and Laura Loomer have replaced the Pentagon press corps.
I am not kidding. Look at the thread below.
One of the military’s most critical lines of accountability is now a closed-circuit conspiracy carousel.
I am not kidding. Look at the thread below.
One of the military’s most critical lines of accountability is now a closed-circuit conspiracy carousel.
moments after Matt Gaetz asks a question at the Pentagon press briefing, Laura Loomer gets her turn
December 2, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Matt Gaetz, James O’Keefe, and Laura Loomer have replaced the Pentagon press corps.
I am not kidding. Look at the thread below.
One of the military’s most critical lines of accountability is now a closed-circuit conspiracy carousel.
I am not kidding. Look at the thread below.
One of the military’s most critical lines of accountability is now a closed-circuit conspiracy carousel.
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
Or get them to read the first 60 pages of Patti Smith's new memoir detailing all the horrible childhood illnesses she endured
Just imagining how much better it would be if ALL news stories about vaccine-preventable illnesses were illustrated with pictures of people with the disease, not pictures of needle injections. If you must show something that people will find scary & unpleasant, make it the disease, not the cure.
I'm so tired of measles.
I'm also tired of people using needle shots on stories like this.
Show what measles looks like.
I'm also tired of people using needle shots on stories like this.
Show what measles looks like.
December 2, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Or get them to read the first 60 pages of Patti Smith's new memoir detailing all the horrible childhood illnesses she endured
Reviews of Nuzzi's book are in and none of them very flattering. I enjoyed Helen's most.
New by me: "The only person in this story with real power is RFK Jr., and he is—I cannot believe I am typing this sentence—maintaining a dignified silence. He doesn’t need to 'reclaim the narrative' because he’s too busy helping kids catch measles."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Olivia Nuzzi’s Tell-Nothing Memoir
Can American Canto turn scandal into literature?
www.theatlantic.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Reviews of Nuzzi's book are in and none of them very flattering. I enjoyed Helen's most.
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
New by me: "The only person in this story with real power is RFK Jr., and he is—I cannot believe I am typing this sentence—maintaining a dignified silence. He doesn’t need to 'reclaim the narrative' because he’s too busy helping kids catch measles."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Olivia Nuzzi’s Tell-Nothing Memoir
Can American Canto turn scandal into literature?
www.theatlantic.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:08 AM
New by me: "The only person in this story with real power is RFK Jr., and he is—I cannot believe I am typing this sentence—maintaining a dignified silence. He doesn’t need to 'reclaim the narrative' because he’s too busy helping kids catch measles."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
Look, it isn't like we need additional evidence.
Hegseth is pro-war crime.
Trump is pro-war crime.
They bonded over their shared belief that war-crimes were a demonstration of "toughness."
This isn't new information. We're just getting additional data points supporting the initial observation
Hegseth is pro-war crime.
Trump is pro-war crime.
They bonded over their shared belief that war-crimes were a demonstration of "toughness."
This isn't new information. We're just getting additional data points supporting the initial observation
December 2, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Look, it isn't like we need additional evidence.
Hegseth is pro-war crime.
Trump is pro-war crime.
They bonded over their shared belief that war-crimes were a demonstration of "toughness."
This isn't new information. We're just getting additional data points supporting the initial observation
Hegseth is pro-war crime.
Trump is pro-war crime.
They bonded over their shared belief that war-crimes were a demonstration of "toughness."
This isn't new information. We're just getting additional data points supporting the initial observation
The reality is that Hegseth , Trump etc have boxed themselves into a corner on the double tap boat strike. Hegseth can't boast that he watched it without it being clear what the legal implications of the attack were. He is implicated either way in an unambiguous war crime
December 2, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The reality is that Hegseth , Trump etc have boxed themselves into a corner on the double tap boat strike. Hegseth can't boast that he watched it without it being clear what the legal implications of the attack were. He is implicated either way in an unambiguous war crime
Hegseth boasted at the time that he watched feed of the double strike: “I watched it live.” WSJ reported yesterday he had "target engagement authority." Even if he did not say "kill them all" as a former officer he would have been aware 2nd strike on hors de combat survivors would be war crime.
War crimes aren’t a farce. Congress should investigate them. A broader war—unjustified, unauthorized, and unlawful—wouldn’t be a farce. Congress should stop it.
Today's Morning Shots from @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social and @eggerdc.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/3KCnNX9
Today's Morning Shots from @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social and @eggerdc.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/3KCnNX9
Lies, Coverup, and Videotape
Congress must thoroughly investigate the boat strikes.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Hegseth boasted at the time that he watched feed of the double strike: “I watched it live.” WSJ reported yesterday he had "target engagement authority." Even if he did not say "kill them all" as a former officer he would have been aware 2nd strike on hors de combat survivors would be war crime.
Hegseth boasted at the time that he watched feed the double strike: “I watched it live.” WSJ reported yesterday he had "target engagement autgority." Even if he did not say "kill them all" as a former officer he would have been aware 2nd strike on hors de combat survivors would be war crime.
"We've had lies and stonewalls before. One’s tempted to say first time tragedy, this time farce.
But war crimes aren’t a farce. Congress should investigate them. And a broader war—unjustified, unauthorized, unlawful—wouldn’t be a farce. Congress should stop it."
www.thebulwark.com/p/lies-cover...
But war crimes aren’t a farce. Congress should investigate them. And a broader war—unjustified, unauthorized, unlawful—wouldn’t be a farce. Congress should stop it."
www.thebulwark.com/p/lies-cover...
Lies, Coverup, and Videotape
Congress must thoroughly investigate the boat strikes.
www.thebulwark.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Hegseth boasted at the time that he watched feed the double strike: “I watched it live.” WSJ reported yesterday he had "target engagement autgority." Even if he did not say "kill them all" as a former officer he would have been aware 2nd strike on hors de combat survivors would be war crime.
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
Bad news for Hegseth, it turns out the Pentagon is a big bureaucracy filled with people who got there because they know how to fight bureaucratic battles and they will wait for you to lie about something then leak details about it. Who knew?
A most important question on the Sept. 2 double-tap strike is who had "target engagement authority" (TEA).
Wall Street Journal:
"A Defense Department official ... said Hegseth was the 'target engagement authority,' the key figure who authorized the strike."
www.wsj.com/politics/whi...
Wall Street Journal:
"A Defense Department official ... said Hegseth was the 'target engagement authority,' the key figure who authorized the strike."
www.wsj.com/politics/whi...
December 2, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Bad news for Hegseth, it turns out the Pentagon is a big bureaucracy filled with people who got there because they know how to fight bureaucratic battles and they will wait for you to lie about something then leak details about it. Who knew?
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
We are not at war with Venezuela, yet. The boats are civilian craft. The U.S. criminal code does not maintain a death penalty for drug smuggling. Due process is required before conviction or sentence.
All of the 80 people killed thus far are wanton murders slain under illegal orders. All of them.
All of the 80 people killed thus far are wanton murders slain under illegal orders. All of them.
December 2, 2025 at 1:47 PM
We are not at war with Venezuela, yet. The boats are civilian craft. The U.S. criminal code does not maintain a death penalty for drug smuggling. Due process is required before conviction or sentence.
All of the 80 people killed thus far are wanton murders slain under illegal orders. All of them.
All of the 80 people killed thus far are wanton murders slain under illegal orders. All of them.
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
Remember:
Juries are important not so much for the powers they have, but for the powers they prevent others from having.
Juries are important not so much for the powers they have, but for the powers they prevent others from having.
December 2, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Remember:
Juries are important not so much for the powers they have, but for the powers they prevent others from having.
Juries are important not so much for the powers they have, but for the powers they prevent others from having.
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
Retired three-star general:
It’s important to note from a military perspective that if a subordinate is about to give an unlawful order & his senior knows about it, it’s also a requirement for the senior official to stop him from executing it. And then counsel/discipline him.
So there’s that, too.
So there’s that, too.
December 2, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Retired three-star general:
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
I wonder if he was smart enough to get Hegseth's order in writing or not
The fall guy. Though he is probably also guilty of first degree murder.
December 1, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I wonder if he was smart enough to get Hegseth's order in writing or not
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
WH tries to throw Adm. Bradley under the boat. Won’t work.
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive.”
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive.”
REPORTER: Does the administration deny that that second strike happened, or did it happen and the administration denies that Hegseth gave the order?
LEAVITT: The latter. Secretary Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes. He worked well within his authority and the law.
LEAVITT: The latter. Secretary Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes. He worked well within his authority and the law.
December 1, 2025 at 7:26 PM
WH tries to throw Adm. Bradley under the boat. Won’t work.
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive.”
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive.”
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
Attorney general urges Nigel Farage to apologise to classmates over alleged racism and antisemitism
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Attorney general urges Nigel Farage to apologise to classmates over alleged racism and antisemitism
Exclusive: Richard Hermer, a senior Jewish minister, says Reform leader ‘clearly deeply hurt’ many people with his alleged behaviour
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Attorney general urges Nigel Farage to apologise to classmates over alleged racism and antisemitism
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
News --> The commander who oversaw Pete Hegseth's alleged killing of two boat bombing survivors is now likely to come in and face questions from the House Armed Services Committee, ranking Dem Adam Smith tells me.
In this piece, I try to make sense of this horror:
newrepublic.com/article/2037...
In this piece, I try to make sense of this horror:
newrepublic.com/article/2037...
Trump Boat Bombings Suddenly on Shakier Ground as Damning Info Emerges
Will Republicans give us a real investigation into Trump’s bombings, now that we just learned horrific new details about them? Or are they seriously going to fall on their swords for Pete Hegseth?
newrepublic.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:19 PM
News --> The commander who oversaw Pete Hegseth's alleged killing of two boat bombing survivors is now likely to come in and face questions from the House Armed Services Committee, ranking Dem Adam Smith tells me.
In this piece, I try to make sense of this horror:
newrepublic.com/article/2037...
In this piece, I try to make sense of this horror:
newrepublic.com/article/2037...
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
Reporter: You said that that second strike was in full accordance with the law of armed conflict but the Navy's own manual of law of war says that specifically firing on survivors from a wrecked vessel is an example of a war crime that's forbidden under U.S. Law and the law of armed conflict…
December 1, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Reporter: You said that that second strike was in full accordance with the law of armed conflict but the Navy's own manual of law of war says that specifically firing on survivors from a wrecked vessel is an example of a war crime that's forbidden under U.S. Law and the law of armed conflict…
Reposted by Peter Beaumont
trump is the president in the sense that he holds the office but he very clearly isn't the president in the sense that he has basically relieved himself of its duties
Trump’s echo chamber:
Very little U.S travel
No rallies or contact with supporters
Right-wing media
Dinners with rich donors and billionaires
Truth Social
Lack of staff to tell him no www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Very little U.S travel
No rallies or contact with supporters
Right-wing media
Dinners with rich donors and billionaires
Truth Social
Lack of staff to tell him no www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
The Bubble-Wrapped President
Trump surrounds himself with those who flatter him in places where he is comfortable.
www.theatlantic.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
trump is the president in the sense that he holds the office but he very clearly isn't the president in the sense that he has basically relieved himself of its duties