The investigation into the military strike on a boat in the Caribbean, which resulted in the deaths of two survivors, has concluded. Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican chair of the House Armed Services Committee, announced on Tuesday that he found no further need for inquiry, stating simply, “It’s done.”
This decision follows intense scrutiny and bipartisan commitment to investigate the September 2, 2023 strike, which was described in a Washington Post report last month. Rogers, alongside Democratic Rep. Adam Smith, had previously promised rigorous oversight of the incident, which involved a “double tap” strike on a vessel suspected of transporting narcotics within the jurisdiction of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
During a classified briefing last week, Rogers and other congressional leaders engaged with Adm. Frank Bradley, the chief of U.S. Special Operations Command, who oversaw the operation. The lawmakers reviewed footage of the strike, which Bradley confirmed did not include a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to execute a broad attack on personnel.
Despite the conclusion of the investigation, pressure continues to mount on the Pentagon for transparency. Lawmakers from both political parties are advocating for the release of the full video documenting the strike. Some representatives have even suggested that the second strike could amount to a war crime, prompting further calls for accountability.
In a recently proposed defense policy bill, members of Congress have requested “unedited video of strikes conducted against designated terrorist organizations in the area of responsibility of the United States Southern Command.” They also indicated that Hegseth’s travel budget for fiscal year 2026 could be withheld if the footage remains undisclosed.
On Tuesday, members of the so-called “gang of 8,” which includes congressional leaders from both parties and members of the Intelligence Committee, received an updated briefing on the incident. The session featured contributions from Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Former President Donald Trump had previously expressed support for the release of the full video, mentioning that he had viewed the footage. “It looked like they were trying to turn the boat back over, but I don’t get involved in that,” he commented, deferring the decision back to Hegseth.
As the political discourse surrounding military accountability and transparency continues, the implications of the strike and the aftermath remain a focal point for both lawmakers and the public.
