Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton Reunite 24 Years After Release of First “Harry Potter” Film

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

NEED TO KNOW

• Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton reunited at a New York City screening of Merrily We Roll Along

• The Harry Potter actors posed for their first public photo together since 2011

• Felton is making his Broadway debut in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as Draco Malfoy

Daniel RadcliffeandTom Feltonhad one magical reunion.

TheHarry Pottercostarswere together again on Monday, Dec. 1, at a special New York City screening ofMerrily We Roll Along, the filmed capture of the 2023 Stephen Sondheim revival in which Radcliffe starred.

PEOPLE was on site at the Hudson Theatre in New York City and captured the moment the longtime friends first saw one another. The two shared a big hug and exchanged a few words as the house lights were blinking to usher attendees into the theater.

They later posed together for a sweet photo, the first public picture they've taken in more than a decade. The last time they were photographed together at an event was July 11, 2011, at the New York City premiere ofHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

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Radcliffe, 36, and Felton, 38, met while filmingHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which was released 24 years ago last month. The film, and the subsequent adaptations of J.K. Rowling's popular book series, starred Radcliffe as the title character and Felton as his school rival, Draco Malfoy.

Though their characters famously clashed on-screen, the two actors have maintained an easy, supportive relationship off-screen. Felton's even praised Radcliffe — a longtime stage veteran who won a Tony Award for his role inMerrily We Roll Along —for inspiring him to get into the theater.

"I've taken a few tips from Potter. He was one of the early inspirations for me to come to Broadway," Felton said, during a November appearance onGood Morning America. "I saw him, I think, on his first show — what is it, 10 plus years ago? And now he's obviously a Tony winner and a big inspiration for the reason why Broadway is so special."

Stephen Lovekin/Getty

Felton is now making his Broadway debut, reprising his role as Draco inHarry Potter and the Cursed Child. The production, now in its seventh year in New York, follows the next generation of Hogwarts families, centering on Harry and Draco's sons as they grapple with the legacy of the wizarding war.

Audiences have been flocking to the theater to see Felton slip back into Draco's shoes. The play has broken box office records, grossing over $3,150,000 over Thanksgiving week alone.

They're getting a treat when they step into the theater, too. Felton recreates one of Draco's most infamous on-screen lines, holding his hand up over his face and asking "Scared, Potter?" before the two duel.

Courtesy Warner Bros.; Manuel Harlan

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Radcliffe has yet to see Felton on stage inCursed Child. But he toldGood Morning Americain his own appearance last month that he was touched that Felton saw him as an influence, especially given their early years together on thePottersets.

"It's crazy. Tom's older than me, he was always the cool kid growing up. It's crazy that he would think of me as an inspiration for anything. That's so sweet," Radcliffe said. "I'm super excited that he's in this and he's doing Broadway and he's doing the show. It's really lovely. And I'm excited that he's going to be in the city and I get to see him."

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

Fans will soon be able to see Radcliffe on stage again soon. The actor is set to return to Broadway next year in the Broadway premiere ofEvery Brilliant Thing, the acclaimed solo play by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe.

Previews begin Feb. 21, 2026, at the Hudson Theatre, with opening night set for March 12. The strictly limited engagement runs through May 24.

"The show is about a man who as a young boy, his mom is going through a kind of crisis so the choice he makes is making a list of every brilliant thing — hence the title — that he can think of; everything that makes life wonderful and worth living," Radcliffe explained onGMA. "He starts to try to make just to give to her to cheer her up, and then it's about how the making of that list goes into his adult life and informs his life as he grows up."

"It is a short, very funny play about depression," Radcliffe added. "And it's also done in a way that's like nothing else I have ever seen before."

Until then, fans can catch Radcliffe on screen in the big screen capture ofMerrily We Roll Along. Director Maria Friedman's take on the Sondheim gem also stars Tony winners Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez, who have all now experienced watching themselves in the musical for the first time.

"It was mixed for me," Radcliffe said onLate Night with Seth Meyersof seeing himself in the show. "I start watching it, I'm like, [cringing] 'Oh God.' But then I watch these guys and I'm like, 'Oh, that's nice.' ... If there could be a cut of everything I've ever done without me in it, I would love watching that."

Merrily We Roll Alonghits theaters Dec. 5.

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December 01, 2025

Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton Reunite 24 Years After Release of First “Harry Potter” Film

Bruce Glikas/WireImage NEED TO KNOW Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton reunited at a New York City screening of Merrily We Roll Along The Ha...

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“Harry Potter” star dumbfounded to learn about past encounter with Alexander Skarsgård: 'I'm 84 and gay'

At leastAlexander Skarsgårddidn't make abadfirst impression onMiriam Margolyes. She just didn't remember him at all.

Skarsgård had to explain to Margolyes on a recent episode ofThe Graham Norton Show, on which the two were both guests, that they had met previously. At first, she was unconvinced.

"Well, I clearly made a strong impression on her," Skarsgård said, then tried to jog her memory.

"I believe you own or used to own a condo in Santa Monica. Is that correct?" Skarsgård, 49, asked, as the audiences laughed about the situation. "Were you looking to rent out a room in that at one point?"

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

In fact, Margolyes, who's known for her role as Professor Sprout in the 2002 filmHarry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsandHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2in 2011, said she had been looking for a tenant when she went to England to shoot a film about the boy wizard.

So why hadn't he taken it, the actress wanted to know.

"It was a gorgeous apartment, and I remember you were very charming," he continued. "I think, in hindsight, I probably misread the cues, but I felt a strong sexual connection. I probably misread the cues, but I thought this could potentially get messy — if I get a room at this apartment, if I'm your tenant."

"Darling," Margolyes cut in, "I'm 84 and gay! I've been with my partner for 58 years."

"Again," Skarsgård deadpanned, "I probably misread the situation."

The British actress teased that he was "talking out of your bottom."

Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

More seriously, he said, "But I was actually there, and I do remember that we had a lovely afternoon, which you obviously don't remember."

Along with her important role in Skarsgård's life, Margolyes has worked in film and TV since the '60s, appearing in movies includingThe Age of Innocence, Baz Luhrmann'sRomeo + Juliet,Little Shop of Horrors, andCall the Midwife.

The funny conversation between Skarsgård and Margolyes spurred another celebrity sitting on Norton's couch,Bridgertonactress Nicola Coughlan, to jokingly say, "Miriam, I'm your daughter," as she hugged Margolyes, to which Skarsgård responded that he was Coughlan's dad.

Watch the funny moment above.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

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December 01, 2025

“Harry Potter” star dumbfounded to learn about past encounter with Alexander Skarsgård: 'I'm 84 and gay'

At leastAlexander Skarsgårddidn't make abadfirst impression onMiriam Margolyes. She just didn't remember him at all. Skarsgård had...

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Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman Reveal What They Learned from Each Other as They Accept Musical Tribute Award at 2025 Gotham Awards (Exclusive)

Dia Dipasupil/WireImage

NEED TO KNOW

• Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman accepted the 2025 Gotham Awards' inaugural Gotham Musical Tribute for their new movie Song Sung Blue

• While on the red carpet, the two actors revealed the one thing they learned from working with each other on the film

• Song Sung Blue is in theaters Dec. 25

Kate HudsonandHugh Jackmanare kicking off their awards season with a prize for their new movieSong Sung Blue.

Hudson, 46, and Jackman, 56, appeared together at the2025 Gotham Awardsin New York City on Monday, Dec. 1, where they received the awards show's inaugural Gotham Musical Tribute for their performances in their new movie about husband and wife Mike and Claire Sardina, who formed theNeil Diamondtribute band Lightning & Thunder in the 1980s.

While on the red carpet, the two actors opened up to PEOPLE exclusively about the one thing they learned from working with each other in the film.

"Hugh, his superpower is to connect," Hudson tells PEOPLE of her costar. "Whether it's on stage, whether it's on set, whether it's with anyone and everyone — he just wants to connect and he wants to make sure that everyone's happy. I learned that one of the great gifts you can give people is that you actually have a desire to connect to them."

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As she turned to Jackson, Hudson adds, "I think you give that to everybody — even though I'm sure it takes a lot from you. You're like a masseuse who's constantly giving energy to other people, and needs energy for you."

Kate Hudson/Instagram

Meanwhile, Jackman says of Hudson, "I learned a lot from Kate. I learned about acting on film, actually. I've done almost 50 films, but, somehow, working with Kate — it's a very difficult thing to describe but the mixture of being prepared and just being instinctive is a really fine line and no one does it better than Kate Hudson."

"Being with her, I learned and I think I became a better actor," Jackson says. "Also, there were two key moments where she stuck up for the film, which was inconvenient for timing and everyone, but both of the moments are key moments in the movie now. So, it's sort of that idea of picking your battles, knowing when you need to just really say, 'No I disagree.' And I learned that from Kate, because she's the sweetest, nicest, kindest, always great. So when Kate Hudson says, 'I think this is a mistake, I think we should go left and not right,' everyone stops and listens."

Hudson isreceiving Oscar buzzfor her role in the new musical movie as awards season kicks off.

"You never know with these things. I've been around now long enough to know just to enjoy that people are really loving the movie," she tells PEOPLE of potential awards glory for the movie, adding with a laugh, "And just, you know, show up to where they tell me to go."

In a Nov. 4press release, the Gotham Film & Media Institute said that the tribute "will honor Hudson and Jackman for their outstanding musical performances that capture the heart and soul of Neil Diamond's timeless music on the big screen."

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Sarah Shatz/Focus Features

Hudson and Jackman's new movie also costarsMichael Imperioli, Ella Anderson and musicianKing Princessin her big screen debut, as well as Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley,Fisher StevensandJim Belushi.

Song Sung Blueis in theaters Dec. 25.

Read the original article onPeople

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December 01, 2025

Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman Reveal What They Learned from Each Other as They Accept Musical Tribute Award at 2025 Gotham Awards (Exclusive)

Dia Dipasupil/WireImage NEED TO KNOW Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman accepted the 2025 Gotham Awards' inaugural Gotham Musical Tribute f...

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Sen. Kelly slams Trump, calls for investigation into Caribbean strikes

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly on Monday repeatedly said he would not be silenced by President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth even after the Department of Defense announced last week that it would belaunching a "thorough review"of Kelly citing "serious allegations of misconduct."

"I will not be intimidated by this president. I am not going to be silenced by this president or the people around because I've given too much in service to this country to back down to this guy," Kelly said at a news conference Monday afternoon.

It comes after Kelly and several other Democrats last monthposted a video on social mediawhere they said that U.S. service members could refuse illegal orders.

Kelly slammed Hegseth, calling him "unqualified for this position" and saying Hegseth should testify concerning the boat strikes in the Caribbean Sea where two survivors were allegedly killed after a second strike was authorized on a boat suspected of ferrying drugs in September.

The White House confirmed there was more than one strike on the boat. One person familiar with details of the incident confirmed to ABC News that there were survivors from the initial strike on the boat and that those survivors were killed in subsequent strikes.

Trump calls Dems' video to service members 'seditious behavior, punishable by death'

Kelly, a member of the Senate Armed Services committee, said there "needs to be an investigation" into the strikes following reporting from the Washington Post that Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill survivors with a second strike. Kelly added that "if there is anyone who needs to answer questions in public and under oath, it is Pete Hegseth."

"I hope what we are hearing is not ... accurate. I will say, though you know as somebody who has sunk two ships myself, that folks in the military need to understand, you know, the Law of the Sea, the Geneva Conventions, what the law says. And I'm concerned that if there were, in fact, as reported, you know, survivors clinging to a damaged vessel, that that could be, you know, over a line. I hope it's not the case," Kelly said.

When asked about a Washington Post report that Hegseth ordered the military to kill all passengers aboard the boat suspected of carrying drugs, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Adm. Mitch Bradley, the head of the United States Special Operations Command, made the order for the second strike.

"Adm. Bradley worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was completely eliminated," Leavitt said Monday.

Asked by ABC News whether the video he posted on social media telling military members that they can disobey illegal orders was about strikes in the Caribbean, Kelly said it was "not about this specific thing."

But Kelly did say that he hopes the American people are given an opportunity to see the legal argument behind the strikes that lawmakers were presented during closed-door briefings.

In response to the Democrats' video, Trump -- in social media posts -- called them "traitors" who should face the death penalty.

Kelly said that the president's is meant to silence individuals who may want to stand up to him.

"This isn't about me and it's not about the others in that video, they're trying to send a message to retired service members, to government employees, the members of the military, to elected officials and to all Americans who are thinking about speaking up, 'You better keep your mouth shut, or else,'" Kelly said.

FBI attempting to schedule interviews with 6 members of Congress who made video about troops disobeying illegal orders

Kelly was asked whether he would participate in interviews with the FBI or Defense Department if one was requested as part of an investigation.

"I will follow the law," he said.

Kelly noted the wave of political violence in America, highlighting the attack against his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and targeted attacks against the Trump himself. Trump, he said, should be doing more to cool tensions rather than inflame them.

"The president's words carry tremendous weight. People listen to him, and he knows that, and that's exactly why he does what he does," Kelly claimed.

Editor's note:An earlier version of this story said that the White House confirmed there were survivors from a first strike on the alleged drug boat and they were killed in a second strike. It has been updated to say that press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed there was more than one strike on the boat.

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December 01, 2025

Sen. Kelly slams Trump, calls for investigation into Caribbean strikes

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly on Monday repeatedly said he would not be silenced by President Donald Trump and Secretary of ...

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White House account of 2nd strike on alleged drug boat at odds with Trump's

The White House's account of who gave the order to hit an alleged drug-smuggling boat a second time conflicted with what President Donald Trump told reporters a day earlier.

When asked about reports that the U.S. military killed two survivors of an earlier strike on a boat suspect of ferrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea in September, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump ordered "everyone be killed" aboard the boat.

"The initial order, from [Defense] Secretary [Pete] Hegseth, said, 'everyone be killed,' and that came from President Donald Trump," Leavitt said on Monday.

However, when asked about the reports while on Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said he would not have wanted a second strike to kill survivors and was adamant that Hegseth denied ordering it.

"I don't know anything about it," Trump said when asked about the report. "[Hegseth] said, he said, he did not say that. And I believe him," Trump said. "But no, I wouldn't have wanted that. Not a second strike. The first strike was very lethal. It was fine, and if there were two people around, but Pete said that didn't happen. I have great confidence."

Hegseth responds to report that boat survivors were killed as a result of his orders to military

According toThe Washington Post, Hegseth allegedly gave a spoken order ahead of the Sept. 2 operation to kill everybody aboard the suspected drug boat. After an initial strike left two survivors, Adm. Mitch Bradley, who was in charge of the operation, complied with Hegseth's alleged order by ordering a second strike, according to the report.

The Post reportedthat the Sept. 2 boat strike initially left two survivors clinging to the boat and that Bradley, who became commander of Special Operations Command in October, then ordered a second strike in order to comply with Hegseth's order and to ensure the survivors couldn't call on other traffickers to retrieve them and their cargo.

One person familiar with details of the Sept. 2 incident confirmed to ABC News that there were survivors from the initial strike on the boat and that those survivors were killed in subsequent strikes. ABC News has not confirmed, though, the specifics of orders from Hegseth or Bradley.

In a post on X on Friday, Hegseth said the report was "more fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting to discredit our incredible warriors fighting to protect the homeland."

Van Hollen: 'Very possible there was a war crime committed' in Venezuela boat strike

"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," Hegseth said.

A slew of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle voiced their outrage over the report and called for an investigation into the incident, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who demanded Hegseth release the "full, unedited tapes of the strikes so the American people can see for themselves."

"Your recklessness demands full transparency and strict congressional oversight,"Schumer said in a statementon Sunday. "We will hold you accountable."

Sen. Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and ranking Democrat Sen. Jack Reed last week called for "vigorous oversight to determine the facts" of the allegations.

Asked Monday if he thought the second strike might have been a war crime, Wicker said, We're going to find out what the true facts are, and then there'll be a determination."

"I've spoken to the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, I've spoken to the Secretary of Defense, and we'll be speaking to the admiral that was in charge of the operation -- I understand he was in charge of the operation," Wicker said.

"We're going to conduct oversight, and we're going to try to get to the facts. And to the extent that we're able to see videos and see what the orders were, we'll have a lot more information other than just news reports," Wicker promised.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he didn't want to "draw any conclusions or deductions until we have all the facts." He said he had not talked to Hegseth about the incident.

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said he has not spoken to Hegseth, either, but "If it is substantiated, whoever made that order needs to get the hell out of Washington. And if it is not substantiated, whoever the hell created the rage bait should be fired."

The top Republican and Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee also said the committee is also investigating the incident.

Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the committee told ABC News on Monday night he is anticipating Bradley visiting Capitol Hill on Thursday.

"That's, I think, where we're going to first get the information, and then I think we should go higher up the chain of command," Smith said. "There needs to be a lot more public statements, also for all of you and for the American people to understand exactly what happened and exactly what we're doing down there, blowing up these boats and killing people and at the same time threatening Venezuela repeatedly. There's a lack of clarity in what is a very significant military action."

Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican who sits on the committee, told "This Week" the report was a "big concern," but also expressed skepticism Hegseth would have issued such an order.

"We should get to the truth. I don't think [Hegseth] would be foolish enough to make this decision to say, kill everybody, kill the survivors because that's a clear violation of the law of war. So, I'm very suspicious that he would've done something like that because it would go against common sense," Bacon said.

Leavitt said Hegseth spoke with members of Congress "who may have expressed some concerns over the weekend" and had provided Congress with the Pentagon Office of Legal Counsel's opinion that the operation was on firm legal ground.

In addition, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine spoke by phone with the top Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House armed services committees.

The call was about "the intent and legality of missions to disrupt illicit trafficking networks which threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere," according to a readout of Caine's call provided by the Joint Staff.

Hegseth appeared to make light of the controversy in a post on Sunday of an AI-generated image of children's book character Franklin the turtle firing missiles at drug boats, with the text reading "Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists."

Democratic Rep. Sara Jacobssaid in a post that she "fixed" the text, changing it to read "Franklin is a war criminal."

Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton told the Post the killing of survivors is "blatantly illegal." And he pushed back on briefing material provided to the White House by the Joint Special Operations Command and a similar explanation to lawmakers that the second strike was to remove a navigation hazard to other vessels.

"The idea that wreckage from one small boat in a vast ocean is a hazard to marine traffic is patently absurd, and killing survivors is blatantly illegal," Moulton told The Washington Post.

Additionally,Democratic Sen. Tim Kainesaid he plans to refile his resolution demanding there be no war against Venezuela without congressional approval, along with reintroducing the war powers resolution that he and Democratic colleague Adam Schiff introduced in October -- which would block the use of U.S. military force in the Caribbean Sea without an Authorization of Military Force by Congress.

"The circumstances have changed in the months since we had that vote. In each of these instances, we were able to get two Republicans to vote together with Democrats," Kaine said. "We think the escalating pace and some of the recent revelations, so, for example, the recent revelation about the 'kill everyone' order apparently dictated by Secretary Hegseth. We do believe that we will get more support for these motions when they are refiled."

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, a member of the Armed Services Committee, said Monday that there "needs to be an investigation" into the strikes.

"I hope what we are hearing is not not accurate," Kelly said. "I will say, though, you know, as somebody who has sunk two ships myself, that folks in the military need to understand, you know, the Law of the Sea, the Geneva Conventions, what the law says. And I'm concerned that if there were, in fact, as reported, you know, survivors clinging to a damaged vessel, that that could be, you know, over a line. I hope it's not the case." Kelly said.

Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen also told "This Week" he believes it's "very possible there was a war crime committed."

"Of course, for it to be a war crime, you have to accept the Trump administration's whole construct here ... which is we're in armed conflict, at war with this particular -- with the drug gangs. Of course, they've never presented the public with the information they've got here," Van Hollen said. "If that theory is wrong, then it's plain murder."

Republican Rep. Mike Turner told CBS' "Face the Nation" he agreed if Hegseth's orders are true, "that would be very serious."

"Obviously, if that occurred, that would be very serious. And I agree that, that would be an illegal act," Turner said.

Asked Monday if the second strike violated laws of armed conflict which prohibit attacking survivors from a wrecked vessel, Leavitt replied "The strike was conducted in international waters and in accordance with the law of armed conflict."

ABC News' Lalee Ibssa and Luis Martinez contributed to this report.

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December 01, 2025

White House account of 2nd strike on alleged drug boat at odds with Trump's

The White House's account of who gave the order to hit an alleged drug-smuggling boat a second time conflicted with w...

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Experts explain what the law says about killing survivors of a boat strike

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military would have committed a crime if it killed the survivors of anattack on an alleged drug boat, legal experts say.

It doesn't matter whetherthe U.S. is in "armed conflict"with drug cartels as the Trump administration asserts. Such a fatal second strike would have violated peacetime laws and those governing armed conflict, the experts say.

"I can't imagine anyone, no matter what the circumstance, believing it is appropriate to kill people who are clinging to a boat in the water," said Michael Schmitt, a former Air Force lawyer and professor emeritus at the U.S. Naval War College. "That is clearly unlawful."

The White House confirmed Monday thata second strike was conductedin September against a vessel accused of trafficking drugs off the coast of Venezuela and insisted it was done "in self-defense" and in accordance with the laws of armed conflict.

A news report about that attack spawned anew level of scrutiny from lawmakersand added to agrowing debateabout whether service members can refuse to follow illegal orders, which some Democratic lawmakers recently encouraged.

Here's what to know about the strikes and laws of armed conflict:

What set off the debate

The Washington Post reported last week that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a spoken directive to "kill everybody" on a boat targeted on Sept. 2, thefirst vessel hitin what the Trump administration calls a counterdrug campaign that has grown to over20 known strikes and more than 80 dead.

Two men survived that first attack, which killed nine others, and were clinging to the wreckage, the newspaper reported. The commander in charge, Adm. Frank Bradley, ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth's instructions, killing the two men, the Post reported.

Hegseth called it "fake news" on social media, saying the boat strikes are "in compliance with the law of armed conflict — and approved by the best military and civilian lawyers, up and down the chain of command."

President Donald Trump said Sunday that the administration "will look into" it but added that "I wouldn't have wanted that — not a second strike." He noted that Hegseth told him "he did not order the death of those two men."

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that Bradley had ordered the second strike and "was well within his authority to do so." She denied that Hegseth said to leave no survivors.

The administration hasjustified the attacksas a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and asserted the U.S. is engaged in an"armed conflict" with drug cartels, similar to the war against al-Qaida following the Sept. 11 attacks.

What the law allows during armed conflict

A second strike killing survivors would have been illegal under any circumstance, armed conflict or not, Schmitt said.

He said the U.S. is not in a legitimate armed conflict with drug cartels, which would have to be committing high levels of violence against the country, not just trafficking drugs that kill Americans.

Even if it was, "it has been clear for well over a century that you may not declare what's called 'no quarter' — take no survivors, kill everyone," Schmitt said.

Whether an armed conflict is taking place likely would not be settled by an international body like the International Criminal Court, to which the U.S. is not a party, said Matthew Waxman, a Columbia University law professor who was a national security official in the George W. Bush administration.

The U.S., however, could face blowback from allies, which may decline to share information for military operations that are illegal under their own laws or international law, said Waxman, who served in the State and Defense departments and on the National Security Council under Bush.

America's armed conflict against al-Qaida received support from the U.N. Security Council, NATO and U.S. allies, he said.

The legal threat posed to US military personnel

If the U.S. is not in an armed conflict, that means it violated international human rights law, which governs how countries treat individuals, Schmitt said.

"You can only use lethal force in circumstances where there is an imminent threat," Schmitt said. "And that wasn't the case."

Brian Finucane, a senior adviser with the International Crisis Group and a former State Department lawyer, agreed that the U.S. is not in an armed conflict with drug cartels.

"The term for a premeditated killing outside of armed conflict is murder," Finucane said, adding that U.S. military personnel could be prosecuted in American courts.

"Murder on the high seas is a crime," he said. "Conspiracy to commit murder outside of the United States is a crime. And under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 118 makes murder an offense."

The Pentagon's own manual on the laws of war describes a scenario similar to the Sept. 2 boat strike when discussing when service members should refuse to comply with unlawful orders.

"For example,"the manual says, "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked would be clearly illegal."

What Congress has said about what comes next

Leaders of the Armed Services committees in both the House and Senatehave opened investigations.

Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, chairman of the Senate's committee, and its top Democrat, Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, said the committee "will be conducting vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to these circumstances."

Concern about the second strike comes after a group of Democratic lawmakers — all veterans of the armed services and intelligence community — released a video calling on U.S. military members to defy "illegal orders."

Among them was Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat and former Navy fighter pilot who has questioned the use of the military to attack the alleged drug boats. ThePentagon says it's investigating Kellyover possible breaches of military law tied to the video.

Kelly said Monday that "if what seems to have happened, actually happened, I'm really concerned about our service members."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has defended the boat strikes as stopping the flow of narcotics into the U.S. and said to wait for the outcome of the reviews.

"Obviously, if there was a direction to take a second shot and kill people, that's a violation of an ethical, moral or legal code. We need to get to the bottom of it," said Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican.

Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Lisa Mascaro and Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.

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December 01, 2025

Experts explain what the law says about killing survivors of a boat strike

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military would have committed a crime if it killed the survivors of anattack on an alleged dru...

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Dick Van Dyke Celebrates Early 100th Birthday with 2-Hour Sing-Along

Paul Morigi/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Dick Van Dyke performed for attendees of the Vandy High Tea charity event produced by Chris Isaacson Presents at the home he and wife Arlene Silver share in Malibu on Nov. 3

• Along with a panel and Q&As, Van Dyke also participated in a sing-along during the 2-hour-long event

• This comes just two weeks before the comedian celebrates his 100th birthday on Dec. 13

Age will never stopDick Van Dykefrom putting on a show!

On Sunday, Nov. 30, the legendary entertainer, 99, and his wife,Arlene Silver, opened up their home in Malibu, Calif, for a Vandy High Tea charity event raising funds to benefit The Van Dyke Endowment of the Arts and the Dick Van Dyke Museum, which is currently in development.

Produced by Chris Isaacson Presents and hosted by Stu Shostak, attendees at "Vandy Manor" enjoyed two hours of conversation, Q&As and sing-along performances from Van Dyke and his special guests.

"There are several reasons for having these — all good — but mine is to revive the art of conversation," the comedian explained. "I don't care if you're on a street, you're in a bus or in a restaurant, everybody's looking at their phones. Nobody talks. I've seen young couples having dinner together and they're both looking at their phones. I may be the only person in the United States over 10 who does not have a cell phone. I don't have a phone."

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Joking that he's almost always played an "irate and cantankerous" old man, Van Dyke noted the best way of life is actually "to have a serene attitude about things at this age."

"You're a very special, almost 100-year-old person," Silver, 54, gushed, highlighting her husband's upcoming 100th birthday on Dec. 13.

"I've never met a 100-year-old person," Van Dyke revealed before his wife pulled out a giant version of his recent PEOPLE Magazine cover, teasing, "We're going to reveal the cover of the Sexiest Man Alive!"

Looking at his photo on the Dec. 8 issue, Van Dyke quipped: "Oh my God. Isn't that great? At least I didn't end up fat and bald!"

Then came the first song of the day, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" from the titular 1968 film starring Van Dyke, performed by his quartet, The Vantastix.

Music is a central theme throughout the event, with interludes of "You Two" — the iconic actor's favorite song — fromChitty Chitty Bang Bangand "Supercalifragilistic" from Disney's iconic 1964 musicalMary Poppins,in which Van Dyke starred alongside Julie Andrews.

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At one point, a fan asked Van Dyke what his favorite part of the Christmas season is, which he said was always "the singing, the caroling." On that note, he and The Vantastix sang "Caroling, Caroling" by Nat King Cole.

Another fan asked him what his daily life in Malibu looked like, which Van Dyke said included a lot of singing with Silver. In fact, he said he discovered her musical talents by casually singing together, teasing that once he found out that, "I was sold! On the spot!"

The next performance was "Carolina In the Morning," originally by Gus Kahn and music by Walter Donaldson. Shortly after came another rendition, again by Van Dyke and The Vantastix, of "Old Senility" — a parody of Bruce Reitherman and Phil Harris' "The Bare Necessities" — followed by the Morey Amsterdam-penned lyrics toThe Dick Van Dyke Showtheme song.

The event concluded with a final sing-along to the belovedMary Poppinssong "Let's Go Fly a Kite," which Van Dyke first sang with the late David Tomlinson in the film.

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