Paul demands Hegseth's testimony on Venezuelan boat strike orders to be given 'under oath'

Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, has urged that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appear before Congress and provide testimony under oath concerning the authorization to strike suspected Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessels. Paul, who has previously criticized the Trump administrations approach to using lethal force against these boats, also called for the Pentagon to release the full footage of a September 2 follow-up attack on survivors in the Caribbean Sea.

He should testify under oath about the commands issued, and the video showing shipwrecked or incapacitated individuals on those boats should be available for every American to see, Paul said Thursday. His remarks came after Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Frank Bradley, who oversaw the September 2 strike on initial survivors, briefed the leaders of Senate and House committees.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York also pressed Hegseth earlier this week to publicly release the tapes and testify about the Caribbean boat attacks. If he refuses to release the footage, obstructs, or conceals the truth, the unavoidable question is: What is Pete Hegseth hiding? What is he keeping from the American people? Does his account not match the facts? Schumer stated on the Senate floor.

Earlier in the week, Paul criticized Hegseth for dismissing a Washington Post report about a follow-up strike that targeted two survivors clinging to the remnants of a destroyed vessel, labeling the story as fake news. The White House subsequently confirmed that a second military strike did occur against the survivors, which fueled Pauls concerns. Senior officials familiar with the situation noted that Hegseth had not explicitly ordered the killing of survivors following the initial missile attack.

Secretary Hegseth claimed he had no knowledge and denied it happened, calling it fake news. Then the next day, the White House confirmed it did happen, Paul told reporters. Either he was lying, or he was unaware of what had occurred.

Paul explained that his comments were in reaction to Hegseths social media posts disparaging The Posts coverage of the follow-up strike as fabricated, inflammatory and derogatory reporting.

Analysis: Congressional Scrutiny Intensifies Over Caribbean Strikes

Senator Rand Paul’s call for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to testify under oath highlights growing concerns in Congress about the authorization and execution of U.S. strikes on Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessels. The demand for full video disclosure of the September 2 follow-up strike signals a push for transparency and accountability regarding actions that resulted in casualties among survivors of the initial attack.

Paul’s criticism reflects a broader bipartisan interest, as Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has also pressed for public release of the footage and testimony. The controversy stems from discrepancies between Hegseth’s initial denial of the follow-up strike and subsequent White House confirmation that the attack occurred, raising questions about communication and oversight within the Pentagon.

The situation underscores the tension between operational secrecy and the public’s right to information, especially when military actions involve potential harm to civilians. Congressional inquiries may examine the chain of command, decision-making protocols, and adherence to legal and ethical standards in such operations. The outcome of these proceedings could have implications for how the U.S. conducts and reports covert or semi-covert military strikes in international waters.

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• Paul calls for Hegseth to testify ‘under oath’ on Venezuelan boat strike orders