A congresswoman’s explosive accusation that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided “not a single piece of intelligence” during classified briefings has exposed a stunning lack of transparency surrounding deadly U.S. military strikes that killed over 95 people near Venezuela.
Story Highlights
- AOC calls Hegseth and Rubio briefing “most unprofessional” she’s ever seen
- U.S. strikes destroyed 20+ boats killing 95+ people in anti-drug campaign
- Military expert says strikes on survivors violated Pentagon war manual
- Congress demands release of strike footage through military policy bill
- Admiral admits survivors posed minimal threat but ordered second strike anyway
Zero Intelligence Provided in Classified Briefings
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered a scathing rebuke of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Senator Marco Rubio following their Capitol Hill briefing on controversial boat strikes near Venezuela. The Democratic congresswoman accused the officials of delivering the “most unprofessional” briefing she had witnessed, specifically criticizing their failure to provide any substantive intelligence to justify the military operations.
The briefing addressed a broader military campaign that began September 2, 2025, when U.S. forces conducted strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels. The operation has since expanded to over 20 boats destroyed and at least 95 deaths, with many details emerging not through official channels but via Pentagon-posted social media videos of burning vessels.
Disturbing Details Emerge About Survivor Strikes
The most controversial aspect involves a second strike targeting survivors from the initial September attack. Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley, who ordered the follow-up strike, admitted during closed briefings that the survivors were waving signals, had no backup communications, and were unlikely to successfully overturn their damaged vessel. Despite these admissions, Bradley proceeded with the deadly second strike after consulting with a military attorney.
Michael Schmitt, a former Air Force lawyer and emeritus professor at the U.S. Naval War College, declared the strikes illegal under Pentagon war manuals. He categorized the survivors as “shipwrecked,” stating that targeting them violated established laws of war regardless of any potential threat they might pose. This expert analysis directly contradicts Trump administration claims that the survivors remained combative threats.
Congressional Transparency Battle Intensifies
The Pentagon initially dismissed reports of the strikes as “completely false” before later acknowledging their occurrence. Hegseth has refused to publicly release video footage of the September 2 incident, despite mounting congressional pressure. The Senate Armed Services Committee has included mandatory footage release provisions in the annual military policy bill, setting up a potential confrontation between legislative oversight and executive secrecy.
President Trump has defended the operations as necessary anti-drug measures, claiming survivors were attempting to “overturn the boat” and continue fighting. However, Admiral Bradley’s private briefings to Congress revealed significant inconsistencies in this narrative, acknowledging the survivors’ limited capabilities and non-threatening posture before the second strike occurred.
Sources:
Hegseth and Rubio are expected back on Capitol Hill as questions mount over boat strikes
Senate Armed Services Committee Event
