Speaker Mike Johnson defended two U.S. strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat after viewing a classified video that, he said, showed able-bodied survivors trying to recover narcotics. The White House confirmed Adm. Frank M. Bradley ordered the second strike after two people remained alive following the initial hit. Republicans largely backed the action as lawful, while Democrats and other critics called for continued investigation. House and Senate panels have opened probes into the operation.
Mike Johnson Calls Second Strike On Alleged Venezuelan Drug Boat "Entirely Appropriate" After Viewing Classified Video
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., briefs the media on the timeline to possibly end the government shutdown in the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington Nov. 10, 2025.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) defended two U.S. military strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug vessel in the Caribbean on Sept. 2 after viewing a classified video of the incident. Johnson said the footage showed survivors who appeared able-bodied and were attempting to recover narcotics from a capsized boat, leading him to conclude the second strike was justified.
What Johnson Said
Johnson told reporters the video made clear the people on the capsized craft were not "helpless castaways" but "drug runners" trying to recover contraband to continue trafficking. "The individuals on that vessel were not helpless castaways. They were drug runners on a capsized drug boat and, by all indications, attempting to recover it so they could continue pushing drugs to kill Americans," he said.
"What the video shows is that these individuals were there. They were able-bodied, they were not injured and they were attempting to recover the contents of the boat, which was full of narcotics."
Johnson added that another nearby vessel appeared to be in close proximity and that the two survivors were signaling toward it, suggesting an intent to resume operations.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, left, and Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, right. Hegseth wrote on X that "Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support. I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made — on the September 2 mission and all others since."
Operational Details And Reactions
The White House has confirmed that two strikes were fired at a boat allegedly transporting drugs from Venezuela and that the second strike followed the first after two people remained alive. Officials said the second strike was ordered by Adm. Frank M. Bradley, commander of United States Special Operations Command.
Pete Hegseth, who commented publicly on the incident, said he watched the first strike live but did not learn of the second strike until later. The episode has prompted sharply divided reactions along party lines: many Republicans defended the military's actions as lawful and necessary, while Democrats and other critics raised serious legal and ethical questions, including whether the strikes should be subject to additional review.
Congressional Inquiries
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) has indicated he is satisfied so far with information provided. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking Democrat on the panel, said the investigation is "far from over." The Senate Armed Services Committee has also opened its own probe into the operation.
Bottom line: After reviewing classified footage of the Sept. 2 incident, Speaker Johnson publicly backed the second strike as lawful and necessary; investigations and political debate continue.
