Defense Oversight

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.

The Pentagon inspector general found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated Department of Defense rules by using his personal Signal app to share sensitive, near‑real‑time operational details — including targets, timing and aircraft — tied to U.S. strikes against Houthi militants, conduct the IG said could have endangered U.S. personnel and the mission. The classified report was delivered to Congress with a redacted public version released Dec. 4; while the IG did not conclude Hegseth had improperly declassified the material and Pentagon spokespeople called the review a "total exoneration," President Trump publicly backed Hegseth and his job appears safe for now.