Republican lawmakers in the United States are escalating their examination of the Trump administration's military policy, focusing intently on a controversial double strike on suspected drug-trafficking vessels from Venezuela in early September.
Controversy Over 'Second Strike' Orders
The military action, part of ongoing operations against alleged narcotics shipments in the Caribbean, has drawn significant bipartisan concern. The core of the controversy lies in the second strike conducted on a single boat, reportedly ordered to eliminate survivors from the initial engagement. While Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has denied issuing that order, conflicting accounts have emerged from within the administration.
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, Hegseth reaffirmed that the decorated US Navy Admiral Frank Bradley was ultimately responsible for the decision to "sink the boat and eliminate the threat." Hegseth stated he witnessed the first strike but did not remain for the subsequent hours when the second strike occurred.
Congressional Oversight and Demands for Transparency
Congress is now formally介入. Admiral Bradley is scheduled to meet with top lawmakers from both the House and Senate armed services committees for a classified briefing on Thursday regarding the events of 2 September. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted that "Secretary Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes," and that Bradley acted within his legal authority.
However, several prominent Republican figures have expressed deep scepticism. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky criticised the shifting explanations, suggesting the administration was attempting to "pin the blame on someone else." He highlighted the discrepancy between Hegseth's initial denial and the White House's subsequent confirmation of the second strike.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who cast a deciding vote to confirm Hegseth, called the second strike "a violation of ethical, moral and legal code." He told CNN that if the reports are accurate, "somebody needs to get the hell out of Washington." Meanwhile, Senator Jim Justice of West Virginia described the "two blow" operation as making him "uncomfortable" and potentially "unacceptable."
Democrats have joined calls for clarity. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate armed services committee, has demanded the release of video footage from the second strike, arguing it would exonerate the administration if they have "done nothing wrong."
Defence and the Broader Drug War Context
Amid the scrutiny, some Republicans have rallied to the administration's defence. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas urged colleagues to gather all facts before passing judgment, stating, "This is a war, and it's ugly." He defended the strikes broadly, linking them to the fight against drug-related deaths in America: "We're losing a couple hundred Americans every day to this drug poisoning, and I think that these strikes are slowing down the import of those deadly, deadly drugs."
As the Senate armed services committee, chaired by Republican Roger Wicker, pledges "vigorous oversight," the coming days will determine the political fallout from an operation that has sharply divided Capitol Hill and raised serious questions about military protocol and accountability within the Trump administration.
