Democratic members of the “Gang of Eight,” which includes key congressional and intelligence committee leaders, have urged Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to release the unedited video footage of the strikes conducted on September 2 against a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean. In a statement, the members expressed their deep concerns regarding the incident and emphasized the necessity for transparency with Congress and the American public.
The statement was jointly issued by prominent figures such as Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, and Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, all of whom have had access to the complete video footage.
Amid ongoing discussions about the administration’s efforts against Venezuelan drug traffickers, Trump’s national security team, including Hegseth, has briefed both Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress. Despite the ongoing classified briefings, Democrats have voiced dissatisfaction with the information shared and raised legal concerns about the operations.
While Republicans have largely supported the administration’s actions, the Pentagon has yet to comment on the Democrats’ request for the video’s release, and Hegseth remains undecided about its public disclosure. The call for transparency reflects a growing demand from lawmakers for clarity on U.S. military engagements and the legal frameworks governing them. The situation emphasizes the ongoing partisan divide concerning national security policies and military interventions.
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