Disturbing video footage of a US military airstrike in the Caribbean has ignited a fierce controversy on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers from both parties raising the grim spectre of potential war crimes. The incident, which occurred on September 2, involved a follow-up strike on a vessel carrying alleged drug smugglers, some of whom were reportedly still alive after an initial attack.
Closed-Door Testimony and Troubling Footage
On Thursday, Admiral Frank Bradley, a decorated Navy SEAL and commander of US Special Operations Command, testified before Congress in a secure facility. Lawmakers were shown extended footage of the controversial strike. Emerging from the briefing, House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Jim Himes, a Democrat, told reporters he was deeply disturbed by what he saw.
"What I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things that I've seen in my time in public service," Himes stated. He described seeing "two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel, who were killed by the United States." Despite his shock, Himes expressed his full support for Admiral Bradley, stating he believed the admiral "did the right thing."
The Pentagon's Justification and Mounting Scrutiny
The airstrike was part of a two-month Trump administration campaign in the Caribbean that has seen 14 boats destroyed and over 80 people killed. Admiral Bradley is expected to argue that he concluded the survivors were attempting to continue their drug-smuggling mission, thereby making them legitimate targets. A source familiar with the strikes told ABC News that Pentagon officials believed the survivors were "still in the fight," potentially communicating with other drug boats and trying to salvage cargo.
However, the incident has placed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth under intense scrutiny. Hegseth has stated he only watched video of the initial strike before briefing White House officials and has publicly defended Bradley. He has described the aftermath as clouded in the "fog of war" and said he "didn't stick around" for the second strike, though he asserted Bradley "made the right call."
Bipartisan Demands for Accountability and Transparency
The fallout has triggered rare bipartisan concern. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called it an "incredibly serious matter" that could expose US troops to legal consequences. Democrats are demanding the release of the full video and all related operational records. While Republicans controlling the security committees have pledged a thorough review, they have not yet joined calls for document release.
Senator Roger Wicker, who leads the Senate Armed Services Committee, promised the investigation would be "done by the numbers." Meanwhile, Republican Senator Thom Tillis, while praising Bradley as "rock solid," warned that anyone responsible must be held accountable. The scope of the investigation remains unclear, but lawmakers are seeking executive orders, rules of engagement, and the intelligence used to identify targets.
President Donald Trump has stood by Hegseth but has said he will consider releasing the video. As Admiral Bradley's testimony continues, the episode raises profound questions about the legal boundaries of military engagements against drug cartels and the transparency demanded of such operations.
