Lawmakers Threaten Defense Secretary's Travel Budget Over Mysterious Boat Strike Video

US lawmakers are attempting to pressure the Trump administration to release video footage of a controversial military strike by limiting Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's travel budget. The incident, which occurred on September 2, involved a second deadly strike on a boat in the Caribbean, raising fresh questions about the legality of Trump's campaign targeting alleged drug-carrying vessels. According to sources, a provision buried in a lengthy defence spending policy would restrict travel funds for Hegseth's office until the Pentagon hands over unedited footage of the incident. The bill, which is expected to pass with support from both parties, aims to increase transparency and accountability in the military's actions. US President Donald Trump has stated that the release of the video is a decision for Hegseth to make, contradicting his previous comments. On Wednesday, Trump said he had "no problem" with the footage being made public, despite this comment being made on camera. However, Trump's office has since denied that he had made such a statement. The threat from Congress to withhold money from Hegseth's travel budget has emerged amid a clamour for information from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. Lawmakers are seeking answers about the military's actions and the circumstances surrounding the second strike. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Pentagon said, "We are committed to transparency and will continue to work with Congress to provide the necessary information." However, the spokesperson declined to comment further on the matter. The incident has sparked debate about the legality of Trump's campaign targeting alleged drug-carrying vessels. Critics argue that the military's actions may have been excessive and that the release of the video footage is necessary to determine the facts of the case. The background of the incident is complex, with the US military targeting a boat in the Caribbean on September 2. The strike resulted in the deaths of several individuals, and the second strike has raised questions about the military's actions. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns about the incident and the lack of transparency surrounding it. "We need to get to the bottom of this and understand what happened," said a Democratic senator, who wished to remain anonymous. "The American people deserve to know the truth." The current status of the bill is that it is expected to pass with support from both parties. The provision restricting Hegseth's travel budget is seen as a way to pressure the Pentagon into releasing the video footage. If the bill passes, Hegseth's office will be required to submit a report to Congress detailing the circumstances surrounding the incident and the actions taken by the military. The next developments in this matter are expected to unfold in the coming weeks as lawmakers continue to push for transparency and accountability. The release of the video footage and the outcome of the bill will be closely watched by lawmakers and the public alike.