The chair of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Mike Rogers, announced the conclusion of the investigation into a controversial military strike on a vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean. “It’s done,” Rogers, a Republican from Alabama, stated on Tuesday, confirming that he has obtained all necessary information regarding the incident that resulted in the death of two survivors.
Previously, Rogers and Rep. Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington, had committed to a thorough oversight of the strike, which took place on September 2. This commitment followed a report from The Washington Post that raised concerns about the military’s actions during the operation. In a joint statement, they emphasized the importance of addressing any allegations related to follow-on strikes on vessels believed to be transporting narcotics in the U.S. Southern Command region.
During a classified briefing last week, Rogers, along with leaders from both the House and Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees, met with Adm. Frank Bradley, chief of U.S. Special Operations Command, who oversaw the operation. The briefing included a review of footage capturing the incident. According to Bradley, there was no directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “kill them all,” contrary to earlier claims reported by The Washington Post.
Following the briefing, lawmakers from both parties intensified their calls for the Pentagon to release the unedited video footage of the strike. Some members of Congress have suggested that the second strike might constitute a war crime. As part of a new defense policy bill, legislators have demanded the release of the footage to the armed services committee, linking it to the withholding of Hegseth’s travel budget for the fiscal year 2026 if the footage remains undisclosed.
On the same day as Rogers’ announcement, the “Gang of 8” in Congress, which comprises leaders from both parties along with Intelligence Committee members, received a briefing on the incident. Notable participants included Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Former President Donald Trump has expressed support for releasing the full video, stating he had viewed it and noted that it appeared the crew was attempting to right the vessel. Trump refrained from further involvement in the matter, indicating it was up to the current administration to address.
As the investigation concludes, the focus now shifts to the potential ramifications of the strike and the ongoing discourse surrounding military operations in the Caribbean region.
