Democratic leaders on the House Armed Services Committee are challenging the narrative surrounding a U.S. military strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean Sea on September 2. They claim that surveillance footage of the incident contradicts statements made by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other Republican officials.

Rep. Adam Smith, the committee's top Democrat, stated that the video shows the two survivors of the strike were not attempting to salvage the capsized boat. "When they were finally taken out, they weren’t trying to flip the boat over. The boat was clearly incapacitated," Smith said. He described the survivors as unarmed and lacking any communication devices, asserting that claims about the drugs surviving the attack are difficult to reconcile with the footage. Smith called the video "deeply disturbing" and emphasized that the survivors were not in a position to continue fighting.

This perspective contrasts sharply with comments made by Hegseth and Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Cotton, who also viewed the video, insisted that he saw the survivors trying to right the boat, which he claimed was loaded with drugs destined for the U.S. He expressed confidence in the legality of the strike, stating, "I have no doubt about the legality of the strike."

During a recent forum, Hegseth recounted what he had been told regarding the circumstances leading to a second strike. He mentioned that there were concerns about potential survivors still being a threat, citing possible access to radios and ongoing interactions with another vessel. In response to Hegseth's comments, Smith dismissed the notion that any radios were present, calling it "ridiculous."

Smith urged for the release of the video, arguing that it would disprove the Republican narrative. "If they release the video, then everything that the Republicans are saying will clearly be portrayed to be completely false," he said. He described the boat as adrift and the survivors as trying to figure out how to survive.

President Donald Trump has indicated that the administration would have "no problem" releasing the video, but Hegseth was less definitive, stating that any decision would be made responsibly and is currently under review.

Smith criticized the administration for not releasing the footage, suggesting that it is being withheld because it would be difficult to justify the strike. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt defended the administration's actions, asserting that the strikes against drug cartels are within the president's authority. "No serious legal expert would doubt that the president has authority to blow narco-terrorists out of the water," Schmitt said.

The legality of the military operation targeting these vessels has sparked significant debate. Legal experts have raised concerns about the implications of designating anyone involved in drug trafficking as a legitimate target for military action. Smith warned that such a broad interpretation of authority could grant unprecedented power to the president and military forces.

Despite the controversy, Schmitt maintained that the strikes are legal and authorized, referencing a lengthy memo from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel. However, this opinion has not been made public, prompting calls from Democrats for its release. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities surrounding military engagement and the legal frameworks that govern such actions.