Military Commanders Told Lawmakers Second Strike Video Can Be Released, Contradicting Hegseth Claim

"We're also going to tomorrow allow the HASC and SASC to see the unedited video of September 2nd, alongside Admiral Bradley, who has done a fantastic job, has made all the right calls, and we're glad he'll be there to do it. But in keeping with long-standing Department of Defense policy, of course we're not going to release a top-secret, full, unedited video of that to the general public."

"Rep. Jason Crow says on CNN he asked US military commanders during today's classified briefing if there was any reason they could NOT release full video from Sept. 2 boat strike. Cohen added: No, was their response, per Crow, who said lawmakers were told the video could easily be prepared for public release. Hegseth has claimed releasing the video would compromise sources & methods (despite already releasing a portion of the footage)"

"Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley ordered the second strike on survivors in early September following a reported directive from Hegseth to leave no survivors, an order Hegseth has denied giving. Hegseth's office also initially called the entire narrative regarding a second strike on survivors false. Hegseth told reporters on Tuesday after briefing lawmakers on Capitol Hill, So we're proud of what we're doing, able to lay it out very directly to these senators and soon to the House."

Military commanders told lawmakers that there was no reason they could not release the full September 2 strike video and that it could be easily prepared for public release. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the material is classified and that a top-secret, full unedited video would not be released to the general public, though appropriate congressional committees would see it. Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley ordered the second strike on survivors following a reported directive to leave no survivors, a directive Hegseth denied giving. Hegseth's office initially called the narrative of a second strike false. Senator Chris Murphy publicly called Hegseth a liar after portions of the video were released.

Read at www.mediaite.com