"Lawmaker Claims Video of Strike Destroys Hegseth's Defense"

Lawmakers expressed shock and outrage on Thursday after being presented with video of the September 2 double strike that resulted in the deaths of two people who survived an initial airstrike in the Caribbean. Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley held a private session with House and Senate members in an effort to justify the Trump administrations action against individuals clinging to the wreckage of their boat.

Prior to the meeting, military lawyers suggested there might be a valid rationale for the second strike if Bradley could demonstrate that the survivors posed a real threat to U.S. forces. However, the video appeared to leave no doubt that this was not the case.

What I witnessed in that room was among the most disturbing moments of my public service, said Representative Jim Himes, the senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. Two people in obvious distress, unable to move, with a destroyed vessel, were killed by the United States.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also attended the briefing.

Since early September, U.S. forces have targeted at least 20 small boats in the Caribbean, which Trump administration officials claimedwithout proper investigationthat were engaged in drug trafficking. These attacks have resulted in at least 83 fatalities.

Both U.S. lawmakers and international human rights groups, including the U.N. human rights chief, have condemned the strikes, stating they violate international human rights law.

The controversy has led some congressional Republicans to question whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should remain in office. Despite the criticism, former President Donald Trump continues to support Hegseth, dismissing concerns by stating, this is war.

Author: Logan Reeves