Rep. Adam Smith, the leading Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, stated that surveillance footage of a U.S. military strike on September 2, targeting a vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea, would challenge the descriptions provided by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other Republican officials. Smith characterized the video as 'deeply disturbing,' noting that the survivors of the strike were not in a position to continue any combat, as the boat was incapacitated and they were unarmed. He emphasized that claims regarding the survival of drugs from the attack were difficult to substantiate based on the footage.

In contrast, Hegseth and Republican Senator Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, have defended the strike, asserting that the survivors were attempting to recover the boat to continue their operations. Cotton expressed confidence in the legality of the strike, while Hegseth indicated that there were concerns about potential threats still present after the initial attack.

Smith dismissed Hegseth's assertions, stating that there were no communications devices on the boat and that the survivors were merely trying to survive. He called for the release of the video, suggesting that it would reveal the inaccuracies in the Republican narrative. President Donald Trump indicated a willingness to release the footage, but Hegseth remained cautious about the decision, citing the need for responsible handling of the material.

The legality of the military operation has been a contentious issue, with legal experts questioning the justification for targeting vessels based solely on drug trafficking allegations. Smith warned that broad definitions of legitimate targets could grant excessive power to the executive branch and the military, raising concerns about accountability and oversight.

Republican Senator Eric Schmitt defended the administration's actions, asserting that the strikes were legally authorized and necessary to combat drug trafficking. He referenced a legal memo from the Office of Legal Counsel, which has not been publicly disclosed, and criticized Democratic opposition as politically motivated.

The discussion also touched on Trump's recent pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was convicted of drug trafficking. Schmitt refrained from commenting on the pardon but suggested that it was a distraction from the administration's military efforts against drug cartels. Smith, however, argued that the pardon was indicative of a broader strategy to exert influence over South American politics, rather than a genuine effort to address drug-related issues in the U.S.