Overview
- Senior Democrats who viewed the classified video say the two men were barely alive and unarmed, while Sen. Tom Cotton says the clip shows nothing unusual and supports the Pentagon releasing it.
- President Donald Trump signaled no objection to publication as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is reviewing the footage to avoid compromising sources and methods.
- Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley told lawmakers he ordered the second strike to destroy narcotics believed to remain in the hull, with video reportedly capturing three missile flashes before the survivors disappear from view.
- Accounts from briefed lawmakers describe smoke lingering for roughly 30 minutes after the initial attack before survivors are seen struggling onto wreckage, with no radio visible and disputed claims they were signaling others.
- The incident is part of a wider anti-narcotics campaign credited with at least 22 strikes and about 87 deaths, now under congressional scrutiny for compliance with Pentagon rules that forbid firing on shipwrecked persons.