Overview
- U.S. Southern Command said an operation in the eastern Pacific on Dec. 4 hit a suspected drug-smuggling boat in international waters, killing four, and cited intelligence indicating the vessel carried illegal drugs.
- At closed‑door briefings, Admiral Frank Bradley told lawmakers he received no directive to show no mercy or to kill all occupants in the Sept. 2 Caribbean incident.
- Members of both parties described video of two apparent survivors from the first strike as deeply troubling, and senior Democrats including Senator Jack Reed urged release of the unedited footage.
- A Pentagon inspector-general report found Hegseth’s use of Signal and a personal phone to share sensitive operational details created risks to Defense Department personnel and mission objectives.
- The New York Times filed suit challenging Pentagon press rules issued under Hegseth that condition access on pre‑publication constraints, arguing they violate First Amendment protections.