December 16, 2025

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday rejected bipartisan congressional demands that the Pentagon release footage of an airstrike that killed survivors of a first attack on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean.

“In keeping with long-standing Department of War policy, Department of Defense policy, of course we’re not going to release a top-secret, full, unedited video of that to the general public,” Hegseth said after a classified briefing with senators. “Appropriate committees will see it, but not the general [public].”

Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and top military officials spent Tuesday morning briefing the full Senate and House on the Trump administration’s efforts in Latin America. Lawmakers have expressed concern about the administration’s legal rationale for strikes that have killed more than 90 people, a military campaign that Congress has not authorized.

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https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/16/hegseth-wont-release-boat-strike-video-00693041