TRUMP BACKPEDALS ON RELEASE OF BOAT STRIKE VIDEO AS NEW DETAILS EMERGE

Only a small group of lawmakers, including the minority and majority leaders in each chamber, have been granted access so far.

“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. “Appropriate committees will see it, but not the general public.”

President Donald Trump initially said he would have “no problem” releasing the tape, but has since backtracked and deferred to Hegseth.

The decision not to allow members of Congress, at the very least, to see the footage in secure parts of the Capitol designed for viewing classified materials is creating new tensions between some Republicans and the administration over its strikes against nearly two dozen alleged drug vessels that officials have insisted were bound for the United States. The footage in question shows the “double tap” strike the U.S. military carried out in September to kill two survivors of an initial strike.

Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also briefed lawmakers Tuesday, cited concerns over the video’s sensitive nature in the determination to withhold the footage from more members, according to several senators. That calculation was rebuffed by Democrats and even some Republicans, who called for its broader release in a classified setting amid questions about Trump’s possible broader intent to force regime change against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

“I am still one who thinks that the commitment to release the full video is an important one and should be honored for everybody, not just those who happen to be serving on specific committees,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who will not be able to view the footage. “I think it’s important that we individually be able to assess it and then make a determination.”

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), a vocal proponent of lawmakers seeing the tape, will also not see the video because he does not sit on the Armed Services Committee. Tillis considers the video and transcript of the decision-making process for the second strike “helpful” to determine the legality of the administration’s actions in the face of accusations from mostly Democrats that a war crime may have been committed, something the White House has vehemently rejected.  

“I think it’d be very helpful just to go through the elements of the decision-making process that led to a kinetic strike and the death of the two would-be survivors,” Tillis said.

Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT), who defended the Trump administration’s actions, expressed support for showing Congress the footage. The former Navy SEAL will also lack access to it under the administration’s current plans, but drew parallels to the Obama administration’s use of airstrikes on foreign targets without congressional approval as evidence of a solid legal rationale.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), a member of the Armed Services Committee who will be able to view the video, said he was “inclined” to support its release to all senators but will “hold that judgment” until he’s able to see for himself.

Hegseth and Rubio also held an all-members briefing on Tuesday with the House.

TRUMP SAYS HE HAS WATCHED VENEZUELA BOAT STRIKE VIDEO AND FLOATS FURTHER ACTION

Democrats stood firm in their calls for the unedited video to be shown to all lawmakers, in addition to an edited version for the public. There is a provision within the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes defense spending and is expected to pass the Senate this week, intended to compel the Pentagon to release the unedited video to Congress. Otherwise, part of Hegseth’s travel budget would be withheld.

“The administration came to this briefing empty-handed,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. “If they can’t be transparent on this, how can you trust their transparency on all the other issues swirling about in the Caribbean? Every senator is entitled to see it.”