A trial or impeachment over the military strikes on boats could force the administration to open its books, which is bad news for officials who signed off on the attacks and for the Republicans who would have to hold them accountable.

• A trial's biggest threat is discovery: witnesses, intelligence records, and the stated rationale for the strikes would all come into the open.
• Many in the administration would be happy to let Defense Secretary Hegseth take the fall alone, as long as the blame does not climb higher.
• No military tribunal or court-martial can touch the Secretary of Defense; impeachment is the only real remedy.
• Rep. Thomas Massie says Hegseth should have pushed back on the president and made sure civilian deaths were kept to a minimum.
• Past administrations, including Obama's, also killed civilians in strikes but did so quietly; this time it is happening in the open.

Outlook: Accountability depends on whether Republicans in Congress are willing to back an impeachment, which looks unlikely for now.