Scoop: Democrats call Trump's bluff on releasing boat strike video

• "We look forward to your prompt response and release of this footage to the public, as has already been promised by President Trump," the lawmakers, led by Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) wrote in a letter to Hegseth that was obtained by Axios.
• "The American people deserve transparency on these attacks," they wrote, "it is your obligation to release the footage."

State of play: Congressional Democrats have been up in arms since the Washington Post reported last week that Hegseth authorized a second strike to finish off survivors of an initial strike in the Caribbean.

• Hegseth and the White House have denied the reporting, saying the follow-up strike was made by Admiral Frank Bradley.
• Numerous Democratic lawmakers have dismissed those claims and called for Hegseth to resign, with one even introducing articles of impeachment.

Zoom in: Members of Congress were given an opportunity to view video of the operation on Thursday.

• Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, said after viewing the video that the targeted survivors were in "clear distress" and "without any means of locomotion."
• "What I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service," Himes said.

What they're saying: "We write to request that you release all audio and video footage from the kinetic strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean on September 2, 2025, including the follow-on strikes," the Democrats wrote in their letter.

• "Our concern stems from reports that you, as Secretary of Defense, issued an order to 'kill everybody,' followed by additional strikes seeking to kill the two remaining unarmed, shipwrecked individuals."
• The letter was signed by 19 of the 27 Democrats on the Armed Services Committee. Ryan's office told Axios they reached out to Republicans as well, but none signed.
• The Pentagon didn't respond to a request for comment on the letter.