Hegseth on Drone Strike Footage
WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the Pentagon will not publicly release raw footage of the strike that killed two survivors of an initial boat attack. The attack in the Caribbean was on a vessel suspected of carrying cocaine.
The announcement comes after intense skepticism arose from Congress about the incident.
Hegseth confirmed that members of the Armed Services Committee in the House and Senate would have the chance this week to review the video.
The Defense Secretary spoke to reporters as he left a closed-door briefing with lawmakers.
“Of course, we’re not going to release a top secret, full, unedited video of that to the general public,” he announced.
Members of Trump’s Cabinet in charge of national security were on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. The personnel sought to defend the campaign across Latin America... READ MORE
Senator Mark Kelly: Pete Hegseth was more focused on lecturing me than answering questions about the administration’s strikes in the Caribbean. That tells you everything you need to know about how unserious he is and why he’s the last person who should be our Secretary of Defense.
Senator Ruben Gallego: It’s pretty simple. Trump ran on exposing pedophiles and ending wars. One year later, he’s covering for pedophiles and dragging us toward more war. I’m holding him accountable.
Representative Andy Biggs: The failed Unaffordable Care Act has made our healthcare too expensive—and Democrats are entirely to blame. The @HouseGOP’s healthcare plan will lower premiums and restore healthcare freedom. Republicans will fix what Democrats broke!
Representative Eli Crane: Yesterday, over 200 House Democrats voted against the Kayla Hamilton Act, which strengthens protections for unaccompanied alien children. This follows their premeditated border invasion, where more than 291,000 children were released to unvetted sponsors. Total betrayal.
Representative Juan Ciscomani: Today, I led a bipartisan letter with 17 colleagues urging CMS to modernize sleep apnea coverage. Outdated rules block timely diagnosis and care, especially for women and younger patients. Federal policy must reflect today’s science.
Representative David Schweikert: More than 50% of Americans will travel this holiday season — and scammers know it. Travel scams surged 500-900%, costing Americans $274M last year alone. We’re issuing a bipartisan warning to protect families before they book.
Representative Abe Hamadeh: Great to have our friend @ewoestmike stop by the office to visit Congressman Hamadeh today! Mike is not only an America First patriot, but he's also a proud member of the Navajo Nation, who has done tremendous work supporting Native education, youth development, and community building across Indian Country. Always a pleasure, Mike!
Representative Greg Stanton: Extending the ACA tax credits is the only realistic way to lower premiums and protect health coverage for working families. Four Republicans chose people over politics and joined Democrats to demand a vote. Unfortunately, none of my Republican colleagues from Arizona did so.
Representative Yassamin Ansari: My first year in Congress: 20 bills, 13 town halls, 400+ funding requests, and a relentless fight to protect immigrants, lower costs, and hold Trump’s corrupt, authoritarian administration accountable. See you in 2026, Arizona! We’re just getting started.
Hegseth Says He Won't Publicly Release Boat Strike Video— By Cactus Politics' Joseph Quesada—
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Border Crossings Hit Historic Lows, Juan Ciscomani Fights for Sustainability— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— WASHINGTON– In an exclusive interview with Cactus Politics, Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) emphasized the dramatic drop in border crossings, assuring that it's just the beginning of what needs to be a long-term solution.
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Joseph Chaplik Announces Congressional Campaign, First District Race Heats Up— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— Joseph Chaplik (R-AZ), a three-term Republican state representative, has announced his candidacy for Arizona's First Congressional District, entering a competitive race to replace Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ), who is running for governor.
Trump Files $10 Billion Defamation Suit Against BBC— By Cactus Politics' Joseph Quesada— WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against the BBC on Monday. Trump accuses the British network of defamation alongside deceptive and unfair trade practices. The president filed the suit in a Miami federal court, seeking $10 billion in damages.
Senate Republicans Introduce 2026 Majority Plan, Criticizing Katie Hobbs Legislation— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— The Arizona Senate Majority Caucus released the 2026 Majority Plan, which is focused on Arizona's economy. They criticized Governor Katie Hobbs's (D-AZ) current legislation, which they say has contributed to economic challenges.
The Snakebite is written by Grayson Bakich and Javier Manjarres
