DoD reviewing public release of Sept. 2 Venezuela boat‑strike video, Hegseth says
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Defense Department is reviewing whether to publicly release video of the Sept. 2 Venezuela-area boat strike amid operational‑security concerns, after classified briefings showed a follow‑on restrike that killed two survivors and prompted bipartisan demands from House and Senate leaders for the unedited footage and written orders. The White House and Hegseth have defended the strikes — saying Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley ordered the restrike and acted within his authority — but legal experts and many lawmakers have raised potential war‑crimes and transparency concerns and opened congressional investigations.
📌 Key Facts
- The Defense Department is reviewing whether to publicly release the full, unedited video of the Sept. 2, 2025 boat strike; President Trump at times said he would release footage but later walked back and said the decision is up to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- The White House and Pentagon confirmed there were multiple strikes on Sept. 2: briefers and officials describe four strikes—initial strikes that killed most aboard, a follow‑up strike 30–60 minutes later that killed two survivors, and subsequent strikes that sank the vessel—and say Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley ordered the second strike and acted within his authority.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he authorized and watched the first strike live, denies issuing any 'kill them all' order, publicly backs Adm. Bradley’s decisions, and defends the campaign as lawful; The Washington Post reported Hegseth gave a directive to 'kill everybody,' and the Post stands by that account.
- Members of Congress were given classified briefings and some viewed the Sept. 2 video; House and Senate Armed Services leaders have opened bipartisan oversight, lawmakers have demanded unedited video and written orders, and negotiators added NDAA language to withhold part of Hegseth’s travel funds until footage is delivered to congressional overseers.
- Lawmakers’ reactions to the video split sharply: some (including Rep. Jim Himes, Rep. Adam Smith and Sen. Mark Kelly) described footage showing two distressed survivors as deeply troubling and potentially unlawful, while others (including Sen. Tom Cotton and some House Republicans) defended the strikes as lawful because briefers said survivors posed a continuing threat.
- Legal experts and the DoD Law of War Manual say firing on shipwrecked or otherwise hors de combat survivors would be clearly illegal; the administration frames the campaign as a 'non‑international armed conflict' with designated cartels and is relying on a classified DOJ/OLC legal opinion to justify strikes.
- The maritime campaign totals roughly 21–22 strikes since Sept. 2, with U.S. tallies of about 82–87 killed; the administration characterizes the targets as 'narco‑terrorists' tied to designated organizations, while critics note the Pentagon has not publicly produced evidence that specific boats carried drugs.
- Top military leaders (Adm. Bradley and Gen. Dan Caine) briefed congressional overseers and told lawmakers Bradley received no 'kill them all' order; Bradley is expected to defend the follow‑on strike’s legality in further testimony as Congress, human‑rights bodies and others press for investigations and additional transparency.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, an estimated 639 tons of cocaine transited through Venezuela, representing 24% of global production.
Drug Trafficking in Venezuela 2024 — Transparencia Venezuela
The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has increased vulnerability in border states, leading to recruitment of residents, including women and children, into drug trafficking activities.
Drug Trafficking in Venezuela 2024 — Transparencia Venezuela
Since 2015, more than 7 million Venezuelans have migrated, resulting in an 18% loss of the population aged 15 to 64 and a 20% loss of women of reproductive age.
The crisis-driven shifts of Venezuelan migration patterns — N-IUSSP
📊 Analysis & Commentary (2)
What Trump didn’t say
"A Playbook commentary scrutinizing WaPo’s report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a deadly follow‑on strike, arguing bipartisan oversight is likely, Trump’s muted response is politically meaningful, and Hegseth’s reactions may deepen credibility and legal problems."
The weirdest show in Washington
"The Politico Playbook column critiques the Trump White House’s televised Cabinet summits as theatrical pageantry that masks substantive controversies — notably Pete Hegseth’s contested role in follow‑on strikes — and highlights Steve Witkoff’s absence (in Moscow) as emblematic of the administration’s mixing of showmanship and consequential foreign‑policy maneuvering."
📰 Sources (85)
Senate to vote on 2 health care proposals. And, the latest U.S. move against Venezuela
New information:
- Adm. Alvin Holsey, identified as overseeing the U.S. boat‑strike operations, is stepping down this week after a closed‑door meeting with lawmakers — an unusual departure roughly one year into a typical three‑year assignment.
- Pam Bondi released video showing U.S. forces (including Coast Guard personnel) fast‑roping from a helicopter to board a seized tanker off Venezuela.
Hegseth tells congressional leaders he is weighing release of boat strike video
New information:
- Hegseth told congressional leaders in a classified briefing (alongside Sec. of State Marco Rubio) that he is still weighing release of the full strike video; when asked if all senators could view it, he replied, 'We have to study it.'
- Senate leaders from both parties called the briefing unsatisfying and demanded broader access to the video; Schumer said members 'should see it.'
- Adm. Alvin Holsey, retiring early from U.S. Southern Command, held a separate classified video call with Senate Armed Services leaders; he characterized his retirement as a personal decision.
- Sen. Wicker said the Pentagon is considering whether releasing the video would disclose classified information.
- Article reiterates the NDAA demand for unedited footage and written orders, with a penalty withholding 25% of Hegseth’s travel budget if not provided.
- Updated operation tally cited: 22 boats struck and at least 87 people killed since the campaign began.
Sen. Warner says "Gang of Eight" wasn't shown Sept. 2 boat strikes video in Hegseth-Rubio briefing
New information:
- Sen. Mark Warner says the Gang of Eight was briefed Tuesday by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the Sept. 2 strikes.
- Warner states the Gang of Eight was not shown the Sept. 2 boat‑strike video during that briefing.
- The briefing specifically involved the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.
Hegseth to brief "Gang of Eight" lawmakers on boat strikes
New information:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is briefing the congressional 'Gang of Eight' on the U.S. maritime strikes targeting alleged drug boats in the Caribbean.
- The briefing indicates direct high‑level congressional oversight engagement beyond prior closed‑door viewings of specific strike footage.
Leavitt defends Trump’s drug boat strikes, says Democrats attacking U.S. military 'stooped so low'
New information:
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly defended the legality of the drug‑boat strikes and accused Democrats of attacking military leadership.
- Pete Hegseth is expected to brief the Gang of Eight on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, along with other top Cabinet officials.
- Sen. Mark Kelly posted that he wants to know what information Hegseth had before the September re‑strike and questioned whether killing suspects without due process makes Americans safer.
Trump walks back support for releasing video of second boat strike
New information:
- President Trump walked back prior on‑camera support for releasing the Sept. 2 follow‑up strike video, saying he "didn't say that" and that the decision is up to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- Trump’s new remarks came during a Cabinet Room exchange on Monday, five days after he said, "whatever they have, we'd certainly release, no problem."
- Article reiterates that several lawmakers viewed a full video in a closed briefing last week and emerged with split reactions; NDAA negotiators are pressing to condition part of Hegseth’s travel budget on providing unedited footage to Congress.
Defense bill limits Pentagon travel funds until boat strike footage released
New information:
- Compromise NDAA would withhold 25% of Secretary Hegseth’s office travel funds until HASC and SASC receive unedited video of strikes conducted in USSOUTHCOM’s area of responsibility.
- The provision also requires delivery of overdue Pentagon reports, including on 'lessons learned' from the Ukraine war, before funds are released.
- Two sources familiar with the Sept. 2 footage say the two survivors were waving before being killed in a follow‑on strike.
- Trump first said he would support releasing the footage, then walked it back, saying he is comfortable with 'whatever Hegseth wants to do'; Hegseth has indicated the video may not be released due to ongoing operations.
Sen. Cotton says he has no objection to releasing video of strike that killed two survivors
New information:
- Sen. Tom Cotton says he has no objection to releasing the Sept. 2 follow‑on strike video and describes it as 'nothing remarkable' and 'not gruesome.'
- Cotton argues the two survivors remained a valid target and says the footage would show they still posed a threat.
- Top Democrats who viewed the video — Rep. Jim Himes and Rep. Adam Smith — dispute Cotton’s characterization, calling the footage disturbing and raising legal concerns.
- Article reiterates that lawmakers were briefed by Adm. Frank 'Mitch' Bradley, who told them there was no 'kill them all' order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- Updated context count: at least 87 people killed across 22 known U.S. maritime strikes near Venezuela.
Key GOP senator says he has no objection to releasing video of strike that killed two survivors
New information:
- Senate Intelligence Chair Tom Cotton says the Sept. 2 follow-on strike video is “nothing remarkable” and he would not oppose its public release if declassified.
- Cotton argues the two survivors remained a threat and the boat was still a valid target.
- House Intel Ranking Member Jim Himes and HASC Ranking Member Adam Smith dispute Cotton’s view, calling the video “profoundly shaking” and saying the survivors did not appear able to continue the fight.
- Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley told lawmakers there was no “kill them all” order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- President Trump said he would release the video if available; Hegseth says the Pentagon is reviewing what could be released.
- Updated context: at least 87 killed across 22 known maritime strikes since Sept. 2.
Defense Department is reviewing boat strike video for possible release, Hegseth says
New information:
- Hegseth said the Pentagon is reviewing whether to release the Sept. 2 boat‑strike video publicly, citing operational security concerns for ongoing missions.
- He made the remarks at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, on Dec. 7.
- Rep. Jim Himes, after viewing the footage, urged release and described it as showing 'the full force of the United States military' turned on 'two guys who are clinging to a piece of wood.'
- Sen. John Curtis said he would 'err on the side of transparency' regarding releasing the footage.
- Hegseth reiterated that Adm. Frank M. Bradley approved the second strike on surviving crew.
Himes says Pete Hegseth has "zero credibility" on boat strikes
New information:
- House Intelligence Committee ranking member Rep. Jim Himes said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has 'zero credibility' on the Sept. 2 follow-on strike, citing 'shifting explanations.'
- Himes publicly urged the Pentagon to release the strike video, saying lawmakers’ interpretations split along party lines and that the footage left him 'profoundly shaken.'
- Himes described the survivors as 'barely alive' and not engaging in hostilities, arguing an attack in such circumstances would violate the laws of war.
- Senate Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton, also briefed, countered that the survivors were not incapacitated and said a re-strike to ensure cargo destruction was appropriate.
- The article specifies the briefers as CJCS Gen. Dan Caine and Adm. Frank Bradley and reiterates that the administration claims authority by designating cartels as terrorist organizations, without offering proof specific vessels were cartel-operated.
Democrats escalate war-crime accusations as White House calls ‘innocent fisherman’ the new ‘Maryland Man’ hoax
New information:
- New on‑record White House response from spokeswoman Anna Kelly labeling 'innocent fisherman' narratives as the new 'Maryland Man' hoax and asserting media are 'running cover' for 'foreign terrorists.'
- Democratic lawmakers’ latest quotes reiterating potential illegality: Rep. Jim Himes arguing two survivors in the water were unlawfully killed; Sen. Mark Kelly stating 'going after survivors in the water' is 'clearly not lawful.'
- Re‑highlights Sen. Jacky Rosen’s statement that, if reports are true, Hegseth likely committed a war crime by giving an illegal order related to the Sept. 2 follow‑on strike.
Transcript: Rep. Jim Himes on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Dec. 7, 2025
New information:
- Rep. Jim Himes, after viewing the classified Sept. 2 strike video, publicly urges its release and describes it as 'profoundly' disturbing.
- Himes says the video shows two men 'clinging to a piece of wood' and 'barely alive,' arguing they were not legitimate targets under the laws of war.
- He states there were 'four strikes in total' on the alleged drug‑running boat.
- Himes says 6–7 lawmakers saw the classified video last week and reactions broke down along party lines.
- He asserts the action was 'not an authorized military action' and says he met with Adm. Bradley about the operation.
- CBS host notes President Trump has said he is open to making the video public.
Hegseth won't commit to releasing video of second strike on alleged drug boat
New information:
- Hegseth would not commit to publicly releasing the video of the Sept. 2 'second strike' and said the Pentagon is 'reviewing' what, if anything, to release.
- Members of Congress were shown the second‑strike video in a closed‑door briefing led by Adm. Frank 'Mitch' Bradley and Gen. Dan Caine.
- After the briefing, Sen. Tom Cotton and Rep. Jim Himes said Bradley told them he had not been ordered to leave no survivors.
- Two sources familiar with the video said the two survivors were waving overhead before the second missile killed them; one source said it could be read as calling for help or trying to wave off another strike.
- President Trump said he supports releasing 'whatever' footage exists from the Sept. 2 operation.
- Pentagon tally cited: at least 87 people killed across 22 vessel strikes to date.
- Hegseth reiterated the strikes will continue and referred to targets as 'narco‑terrorists,' while CBS notes U.S. authorities have not provided specific evidence the boats were carrying drugs.
Hegseth hints major defense spending increase, reveals new details on Trump’s anti-narcoterrorism operations
New information:
- Pete Hegseth says he personally authorized the Sept. 2 first strike on a suspected drug‑smuggling vessel and watched the operation live from the Pentagon.
- He denies issuing any 'kill them all' directive, directly criticizing the Washington Post report.
- Intelligence preparation for the first strike took 'a couple of weeks, almost a month,' with assets reoriented from other theaters.
- Hegseth retained strike authority only for the initial operation due to its strategic implications; subsequent strike authority now rests with Adm. Frank 'Mitch' Bradley.
- He says there have been more than 20 U.S. strikes against cartel‑linked narco‑terror networks across the Caribbean.
- He defends a same‑day re‑attack after the first strike, citing potential surviving combatants with radios, a possible link‑up point, and remaining drugs on board.
Hegseth hints major defense spending increase, reveals new details on Trump’s anti-narcoterrorism operations
New information:
- Hegseth says he kept strike approval authority only for the initial Sept. 2 operation; subsequent strike decisions now rest with Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley.
- He says it took “a couple of weeks, almost a month” to develop the intelligence for the first strike, including reorienting assets from other theaters.
- He watched the mission feed for about five minutes after authorizing the initial strike before moving on as it shifted to tactical execution.
- He explicitly ties the target to an organization formally designated by President Trump as a terrorist group.
- He describes the rationale for a same‑mission re‑attack (survivors had radios, potential link‑up with another boat, drugs remaining on board) and states he fully supports that decision and would have made the same call.
WATCH: Hegseth delivers keynote address at Reagan National Defense Forum
New information:
- Hegseth’s keynote underscores the administration’s legal and policy defense of the strikes amid questions from lawmakers about alleged follow‑on strikes after survivors were identified.
- Reiterates administration’s framing of the targets as tied to designated terrorist organizations.
Scoop: Democrats call Trump's bluff on releasing Venezuelan boat strike video
New information:
- Nineteen of the 27 Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee, led by Rep. Pat Ryan, sent a letter urging SecDef Pete Hegseth to publicly release all audio and video from the Sept. 2, 2025 Caribbean drug-boat strikes, including any follow-on strikes.
- The letter cites President Trump’s recent statement that he would have 'no problem' releasing the footage and presses the Pentagon to follow through.
- Members of Congress were allowed to view the video on Thursday; House Intelligence ranking member Jim Himes said the survivors were in 'clear distress' and 'without any means of locomotion' and called the footage among 'the most troubling' he has seen.
- Ryan’s office said Republicans were approached to sign the letter but none did; the Pentagon did not comment to Axios.
Salute or push back? When a military order’s legality is in question.
New information:
- Christian Science Monitor reports lawmakers from both parties agreed the second strike killed two shirtless survivors clinging to an overturned hull.
- Direct, on-the-record reactions: Rep. Jim Himes called the victims 'two individuals in clear distress' who were killed; Sen. Tom Cotton characterized them as trying to flip a drug-laden boat to rejoin the fight.
- The article states the video showed a second attack ordered by Adm. Frank M. Bradley while he led JSOC.
Washington Post stands by Hegseth 'kill them all' report on boat strike despite testimony denial
New information:
- The Washington Post told Fox News it stands by its report alleging Pete Hegseth issued a 'kill them all' directive in the Sept. 2 boat strike.
- After a closed-door hearing, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said Adm. Frank 'Mitch' Bradley testified he received no 'kill them all' or 'no quarter' order.
- Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called on the Post to retract its story, labeling it a 'hoax' against Hegseth.
- Hegseth publicly reiterated support for Bradley and said he had left the room after ordering the initial strike.
+ 65 more sources