Republican Representative expresses concern over Trump boat strikes: ‘Members are very concerned’

Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), serving on the House Armed Services Committee, stated Thursday that committee members are "deeply concerned" about the Pentagons repeated strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean.

"Many members are seriously questioning whether the intelligence guiding these operations is sufficiently reliable to understand what is truly happening in this region," Turner told MS NOWs Morning Joe. "There is significant unease among the members."

Later in the day, Navy Adm. Frank Bradley provided a briefing to Turner and other senior committee members regarding the September 2 strike that targeted survivors clinging to the wreckage of a previously engaged vessel. Bradley had acted under authorization from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for a follow-up attack.

Reports last month indicated that Bradley carried out the strike following Hegseth's directive to eliminate everyone on board. Since early September, the Trump administration has launched several attacks on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in at least 83 deaths.

Turner criticized the approach, noting, "If these individuals were captured, tried, and found guilty, they would face incarceration, not the death penalty. Yet they are being killed rather than detained."

On Thursday, Bradley also met with bipartisan leaders from the House Intelligence and Senate Armed Services committees. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, said that after reviewing video footage of the strikes, it was evident that U.S. forces targeted survivors who posed no threat.

"The footage is deeply troubling," Himes said. "Two individuals in severe distress were killed, despite having neither the capability nor intent to continue any hostile activity."

Author: Grace Ellison