Several Republican senators are pressing War Secretary Pete Hegseth to release video from a Sept. 2 follow-up strike that involved a U.S. military attack on a Venezuelan boat suspected of drug smuggling.
The Hill reported that Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he favors making the video available to lawmakers and potentially to the public.
"My bias would be to make it available. That would be the best thing to do," Cornyn said, adding that releasing the footage could blunt Democratic claims that Hegseth is concealing wrongdoing.
Cornyn said withholding the video fuels speculation but acknowledged the decision rests with Hegseth. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said the footage should at least be shared with the full Congress, which Hegseth has so far declined to do.
"I think the video should be given to everybody in Congress," Graham said, adding that while public interest may be limited, lawmakers should be able to review it.
Hegseth told reporters Tuesday that the unedited video is too sensitive for public release under Department of War and Department of Defense policy.
"We're not going to release a top secret, full, unedited video of that to the general public," Hegseth said after a briefing.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said he understands the reluctance to release the full footage but questioned why a redacted version could not be made public. He said he has not seen the video but was told by others that it supports Hegseth's account, adding that releasing edited portions could help address concerns.
Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., challenged Hegseth during the briefing, disputing Republican claims that the footage exonerates military leadership. Schumer said he has viewed the unedited video and described it as disturbing, arguing that all senators should be allowed to see it.
Senior military officials are scheduled to show the full video to members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he is deferring to the Armed Services Committee on whether the footage should be released more broadly.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and ranking member Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., urged the Pentagon to make the video available to the full committee.
Some Republicans have also questioned President Donald Trump's objectives in Venezuela and the basis for using military force against suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
Democrats have argued that the administration has not provided sufficient justification for using the military against boats suspected of drug smuggling, a role they note was previously handled by the Coast Guard and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Jim Mishler ✉
Jim Mishler, a seasoned reporter, anchor and news director, has decades of experience covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
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