(DDM) – A growing political storm erupted on Capitol Hill on Monday as Democratic Congressman Jason Crow demanded the Trump administration release the full video of the controversial September strike on an alleged drug-running boat in the Caribbean.
DDM confirmed that Crow, speaking during an interview with CNN’s Kasie Hunt, insisted that Americans deserve to “see for themselves” what truly happened during the military operation, which has drawn intense scrutiny across Washington.
The incident, which involved a US military strike on a vessel suspected of narcotics trafficking, has become one of the most contentious national security debates of the year.
Crow criticized President Donald Trump’s abrupt reversal after previously signaling his willingness to release the footage.
He argued that the White House’s hesitation only fuels suspicion.
Crow said the administration appears more focused on “cover-ups” than transparency, accusing officials of withholding crucial information that would clarify whether the strike followed legal and ethical standards.
He emphasized that there should be no debate about the footage because “they can just release the video.”
According to Crow, the reluctance is especially concerning since Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has a reputation for releasing military videos quickly whenever they support the administration’s narrative.
Crow suggested that Hegseth’s silence in this case is “very telling.”
The congressman also noted that multiple top lawmakers who viewed the footage reached sharply differing conclusions about the legality of the strike.
For Crow, this underscores why the public must see the video instead of relying on political interpretations.
He repeated that transparency is the only acceptable path forward.
Crow further compared the situation to the stalled release of the Epstein files, saying both issues require openness from the government.
He argued that public trust is undermined whenever information is intentionally withheld.
The controversy intensified last week when Trump claimed he would be “happy” to release the full video of the operation.
However, despite his promise, no footage has been made public, and the administration now appears to be retreating from the commitment.
Critics say the delay raises questions about what the video actually shows and whether the strike complied with international law and US rules of engagement.
The September incident took place near the maritime borders of Venezuela and Suriname, where narcotics trafficking routes have long been a challenge for US military and intelligence agencies.
Background reports indicate that the Caribbean corridor remains one of the most frequently used paths for drug shipments headed toward North America and Europe.
Security analysts say this increases the likelihood of aggressive US interdiction efforts, often carried out under complex and high-risk conditions.
The lack of clarity surrounding the strike has fueled partisan divides, with Republicans defending the operation and Democrats calling for immediate transparency.
Human rights advocates have also joined the debate, urging an independent review to determine whether the force used was justified.
As the dispute widens, members of Congress continue to pressure the administration to release the video without further delay.
For now, the footage remains undisclosed, leaving the public to rely on conflicting political narratives rather than verified evidence.
The controversy is expected to escalate in the coming days as lawmakers return to Washington demanding answers.