Himes regrets causing the death of 2 distressed individuals in boat strike video

Representative Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, expressed profound concern on Thursday regarding the Pentagons follow-up strikes on suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean. Himes emphasized that U.S. forces appeared to target survivors who posed no threat to national security.

Himes was among the few lawmakers briefed Thursday by Navy Admiral Frank Bradley, the commander of the September 2 mission, at a secure Capitol Hill location. During the briefing, officials showed video footage of the operation.

After reviewing the footage, I found it extremely disturbing, Himes said. We ended the lives of two individuals who were clearly in distress and had neither the capability nor the intention to continue any hostile activity.

The strikes on September 2 have stirred debate on Capitol Hill since The Washington Post first detailed the operation last week. According to that report, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly instructed his team to eliminate everyone on the boat. When two survivors were seen clinging to the damaged vessel, another strike was reportedly carried out to follow Hegseths directive.

Himes, however, noted that Admiral Bradley disputed this characterization during the briefing. The admiral clarified that there was no kill them all order and no directive to provide no quarter, Himes said, without giving additional details.

After the meeting with the Intelligence Committee leadership, Admiral Bradley did not comment publicly. He is also scheduled to meet separately with bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.

Author: Maya Henderson