In a recent closed-door intelligence briefing on Capitol Hill, lawmakers were presented with disturbing video footage of a U.S. military operation in the Caribbean. The classified briefing, led by Admiral Frank Bradley, showed an extended version of a September 2nd incident involving a follow-up strike on suspected drug smugglers.
The operation is part of the Trump administration's military campaign targeting drug trafficking in the region. Over the past two months, the campaign has resulted in the destruction of 14 vessels and the deaths of more than 80 individuals. However, the latest footage has sparked intense bipartisan concern, with the specter of a possible war crime looming over the incident.
Admiral Bradley's presentation depicted a second strike carried out after an initial explosion destroyed a drug boat. Reports following the briefing suggest that two individuals survived the initial blast but were subsequently killed in the follow-up attack. This revelation has drawn scrutiny toward War Secretary Pete Hegseth, particularly after reports indicated that the survivors were in distress and unable to move the damaged vessel.
House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Jim Himes (D-CT) described the footage as one of the most troubling things he has seen during his tenure. Despite his disturbance, Himes expressed support for Bradley's decision-making based on the information available at the time.
The Pentagon has defended the operation, with officials concluding that the survivors might have been attempting to communicate with other vessels or salvage the drug cargo, thereby remaining legitimate targets. Hegseth, who claims to have only seen footage of the initial strike before briefing White House officials, has praised Bradley as one of the Navy's finest admirals.
The incident has attracted significant media attention, particularly in light of Hegseth's past remarks to troops to "kill everybody," as reported by the Daily Mail. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has labeled the situation as incredibly serious, highlighting the potential legal consequences for U.S. personnel if wrongdoing is confirmed.
On the Republican side, calls for a thorough review have been made without a public demand for documents related to the operation's orders. Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker (R) assured that investigations would proceed methodically to uncover the "ground truth."
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal (D) has pointed to Hegseth's responsibility, asserting that the War Secretary was sufficiently informed and his orders ultimately led to the deaths of the survivors. Lawmakers are now requesting the full video, operational records, and intelligence that identified the vessel as a legitimate target, as well as clarification on combatant classification rules.
A forthcoming Pentagon inspector general report, expected to be partially redacted, will examine Hegseth's use of the Signal messaging app for sharing military strike information. The findings are anticipated to play a significant role in Congress's evaluation of his involvement in the controversial strike.
