Schumer demands full video of US strikes on Venezuela boat
Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer noted that senators are scheduled for a classified briefing Tuesday morning with the Secretaries of Defense and State on recent developments in the Caribbean, including the September 2 strikes near Venezuela.
For months, Schumer said, he has been pushing for a thorough briefing and full transparency, particularly regarding video evidence. While the administration has confirmed that recordings exist, senators have yet to receive the complete, unedited footage.
“The Senate demands to see the full and unedited tape showing exactly what happened,” Schumer said, adding that he formally requested the video from Secretary Hegseth last week. “A simple 'yes' would have been sufficient, because, frankly, asking for the tapes is not a crazy request. It's basic oversight, something senators are certainly entitled to see."
Schumer criticized Hegseth’s response that he needed "more time" to review the matter. "It's been three months. What the hell is there to study? What is there to study?" he said.
He stressed ahead of the briefing that “every single member is entitled to see the full, unedited video of what happened during the series of strikes on September the second. Anything less than full access for every senator would be unacceptable,” suggesting that continued delays might signal an effort to hide damaging details.
Beyond the dispute over the video, Schumer raised broader concerns about US military operations in the Caribbean and the lack of clarity regarding presidential intentions in Venezuela.
He noted that the public has received "different" messages about US objectives, despite the deployment of thousands of troops and significant naval forces in the region.
"Tomorrow, Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth owe senators some pretty big answers to some very important questions about what is happening in the Caribbean, what are their goals, what are their plans, what are their limits. Anything less than full transparency and candor from the two secretaries will be unacceptable to the Senate and to the American people," Schumer said.
Reports indicate that the September 2 strike was the first of 22 operations carried out by the Pentagon, resulting in over 85 deaths. While the administration maintains that the second strike was lawful and necessary, some members of Congress and legal experts have questioned its legitimacy, warning that targeting survivors could constitute a war crime.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
