DoD reviewing release of Venezuela boat‑strike video as Sen. Warner calls footage 'extraordinarily chilling'
The Defense Department is reviewing whether to publicly release classified video of the Sept. 2 U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat — including a follow‑on attack that killed two survivors — as bipartisan congressional leaders press for full access and have tied release requirements into the NDAA. Senator Mark Warner, who viewed the footage, called it “extraordinarily chilling,” while the White House and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintain the strikes were lawful and say Adm. Frank Bradley ordered the re‑strike.
📌 Key Facts
- Since Sept. 2 the administration has carried out roughly 21–22 U.S. maritime strikes in the Caribbean against suspected drug‑running vessels, with at least about 80–87 people killed across the campaign.
- The White House confirmed the Sept. 2 engagement involved multiple strikes: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the initial strike and the White House says Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley ordered a follow‑on restrike that killed two survivors and later sank the vessel.
- The Washington Post reported Hegseth gave a verbal “kill everybody” order; Hegseth, Adm. Bradley and Pentagon spokespeople deny any such directive and Bradley testified he received no “kill them all” order, while the Post stands by its reporting — a central factual dispute.
- Lawmakers were shown classified video of the Sept. 2 follow‑on strike in closed briefings; reactions split sharply — several Democrats (including Rep. Jim Himes and Sen. Mark Warner) described the footage as deeply troubling or “extraordinarily chilling” and urged public release, while some Republicans (including Sen. Tom Cotton and Speaker Mike Johnson) defended the strikes as lawful.
- The administration’s legal posture frames the campaign as a “non‑international armed conflict” with designated cartels and relies on classified DOJ/OLC advice; independent legal experts and the DoD Law of War Manual say firing on shipwrecked or helpless survivors would be unlawful, prompting bipartisan calls for investigation and possible war‑crimes scrutiny.
- Congressional oversight has intensified: House and Senate Armed Services Committees opened probes, top military leaders (Adm. Bradley and Gen. Dan Caine) delivered classified briefings, and negotiators inserted NDAA language tying release of unedited strike video and written orders to withholding a portion of SecDef Hegseth’s travel funds until provided to committees.
- The Pentagon is reviewing whether to release the full Sept. 2 video publicly; President Trump initially said he had “no problem” releasing footage but later deferred to Hegseth, who cited operational‑security concerns — while service members, human‑rights complainants and some lawmakers press for transparency and legal accountability.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, approximately 73.2% of Venezuela's population of 26.7 million lived in poverty.
Venezuela: Political Crisis and U.S. Policy — Congress.gov
Venezuela's population is composed of approximately 51% Mestizo, 43% White, 3.6% Black, and 2% Indigenous people.
Demographics of Venezuela — Wikipedia
The unemployment rate in Venezuela was 5.5% in 2024, though high poverty suggests significant underemployment or informal work.
Venezuela Unemployment Rate — Trading Economics
In 2021, 95.1% of the female population in Venezuela lived in poverty, compared to 93.8% of the male population.
Population in poverty in Venezuela by gender 2021 — Statista
The cocaine-involved overdose death rate among non-Hispanic Black persons in the US increased to 24.3 per 100,000 in 2023.
📊 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 (91)
Transcript: Sen. Mark Warner on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Dec. 14, 2025
New information:
- Warner says the overarching policy memorandum justifying the strikes was not finalized until Sept. 5—three days after the Sept. 2 incident.
- He states the legal justification was made in late July but 'they didn't write it down till September 5.'
- Warner formally requests to see the written execution order, the specific legal opinion for the Sept. 2 strike, and the after‑action report.
- He reiterates that the classified video is 'extraordinarily chilling' and says Congress and the public should see it.
Sen. Mark Warner says video of Venezuelan boat strike is "extraordinarily chilling"
New information:
- Sen. Mark Warner, who viewed the strike video, called it 'extraordinarily chilling.'
- Warner described two survivors clinging to boat debris and said the U.S. took 'a series of additional strikes' afterward.
- He said at minimum the full Congress needs to see the video.
Bipartisan push grows in Senate to force release of unedited Caribbean strike footage
New information:
- Congress has embedded a footage‑release requirement into the NDAA, tying War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget to releasing unedited videos.
- New on‑the‑record, bipartisan Senate support (Paul, Kaine, King, Rounds) increases pressure on the Pentagon to release the full Sept. 2 footage.
- Senate action on the NDAA begins Monday, after House passage.
U.S. military members fear personal legal blowback tied to boat strikes
New information:
- U.S. service members, including at least one drone pilot and staff officers in legal/intel/targeting roles, are seeking outside legal advice over potential personal liability tied to the boat strikes.
- GI Rights Hotline (Quaker House) reports calls from service members specifically worried about the legality of the campaign and possible punishment; at least two such cases were referred to attorneys.
- The Orders Project says it has received 'a lot more' inquiries in the past three months related to the strikes, reflecting rising internal concern.
- Article reiterates operational scope: 20+ vessels destroyed and 80+ fatalities in roughly three months, framing the scale behind the legal anxiety.
Johnson says boat strike hit "able-bodied" survivors who were "not injured"
New information:
- House Speaker Mike Johnson viewed the classified follow‑on strike video and was briefed by Adm. Frank Bradley.
- Johnson stated the two survivors were 'able‑bodied,' 'not injured,' and attempting to recover narcotics and signal another vessel, making them lawful targets.
- He said legal counsel was consulted 'at every step' and that the operation followed law and protocol.
- Johnson cited 'exquisite intelligence' indicating another vessel was nearby and headed toward the survivors.
- Confirms only a small group of congressional leaders have seen the video; notes partisan disagreement over whether survivors were signaling for help.
Speaker Johnson says second Venezuela boat strike 'entirely appropriate' after seeing classified video
New information:
- Speaker Mike Johnson says, after viewing a classified video, that the Sept. 2 second strike was 'entirely appropriate' and followed law and protocol.
- Johnson’s description of the video: survivors appeared able‑bodied and uninjured, were attempting to recover narcotics from the capsized boat, and were signaling another nearby vessel to continue their mission.
- Johnson publicly backs Adm. Frank M. Bradley’s decision-making, calling him 'one of the most honorable men' and asserting the operation followed prior mission protocols.
- House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers signaled he is satisfied with information received so far, while Ranking Member Adam Smith said the probe is 'far from over'; the Senate Armed Services Committee is also probing.
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.
+ 71 more sources