WASHINGTON — A closed-door national security briefing on Monday erupted into political theater after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emerged visibly angry, accusing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of withholding key information about the Trump administration’s increasingly aggressive anti-cartel military campaign in the Caribbean.

The confrontation—captured in a now-viral X clip showing Schumer vowing to “storm” the meeting and “demand” unedited strike footage—comes amid intensifying scrutiny of Operation Southern Spear, a months-long series of lethal U.S. strikes that have destroyed more than 20 suspected drug-trafficking vessels and killed at least 87 people the administration labels “narco-terrorists.”

The December 9 briefing, attended by the Gang of Eight and senior national security officials, was Schumer’s first opportunity to confront Hegseth about allegations that a September 2 strike included a prohibited “double-tap” attack on two surviving crew members—a potential violation of international law.

Schumer left the meeting fuming.

“It was a very unsatisfying briefing,” he told reporters outside the secure room.
“We did not get satisfying answers at all.”

He demanded the Pentagon release the full, unedited strike videos to Congress—something Hegseth declined to commit to.

Inside Operation Southern Spear

Launched in early September, the Trump administration’s operation authorizes drone and aircraft strikes on high-speed boats believed to be carrying fentanyl, cocaine, and other synthetic drugs toward the United States.

The vessels are linked to groups such as Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, which the administration recently designated a foreign terrorist organization. The White House says the operation is responsible for destroying billions of dollars in cartel product and preventing an untold number of overdose deaths.

Hegseth has characterized the mission bluntly:

“Lethal, kinetic strikes—destroy the narco-boats, kill the narco-terrorists.”

Conservative lawmakers call the campaign overdue. Critics—including Schumer, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), and several former Pentagon legal advisers—argue the administration is stretching wartime authorities and may have crossed into unlawful targeting.

A Washington Post investigation in November reported that Hegseth gave a spoken directive to “kill everybody” aboard a suspected drug vessel on September 2. After an initial strike left two survivors clinging to wreckage, commanders allegedly ordered additional munitions fired, killing both men.

Hegseth dismissed the report as “fake news,” insisting the boat was neutralized in a single lawful engagement.

Schumer vs. Hegseth: A Showdown Months in the Making

Hours before the briefing, Schumer delivered a fiery statement to Capitol Hill reporters:

“I plan to confront Secretary Hegseth on exactly what the HELL is going on in the Caribbean.”

He demanded:
• Release of all strike footage to Congress
• Clarification on Trump’s threat to launch operations on Venezuelan soil
• Confirmation that no unlawful orders were issued

But after the briefing, Schumer declared he got “zero concessions.”

Hegseth, meanwhile, has leaned into the criticism—sometimes literally trolling it. Last week he posted a meme of a cartoon turtle firing an RPG at a narco-boat. Schumer called it “a sick parody” unbecoming of a Cabinet official.

Online reaction followed predictable lines: conservatives accused Schumer of “defending cartels,” while Democrats accused Hegseth of hiding potential war crimes.

GOP Cheers the Operation: “Righteous and Necessary”

Republican hawks, including Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), continue to defend the strikes as both lawful and morally justified.

“The first strike, the second strike, the third strike—entirely lawful, and exactly what we expect our military to do,” Cotton said after viewing classified material.

Trump himself doubled down last week, saying “land strikes in Venezuela” may be next.

“Biden coddled them. We kill them,” the president said in a recent speech.

Administration officials argue the U.S. is confronting a true national-security crisis: fentanyl kills more than 100,000 Americans annually.

Democrats Push Oversight, but Admit Options Are Limited

With Republicans controlling key committees, Schumer’s oversight demands face steep resistance.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed Schumer after the briefing:

“What is the Secretary hiding? Release the video.”

But even some Democrats acknowledge privately that forcing transparency on a White House committed to aggressive executive power will be extremely difficult.

A watchdog investigation into Hegseth’s use of encrypted messaging apps is underway, though unrelated to the strikes.

What Comes Next? More Strikes, More Secrecy

Hegseth said additional operations are imminent.

“If you’re bringing drugs in a boat, we will find you and sink you.”

For now, Congress remains in the dark about the full details of the September 2 strike—and Schumer’s dramatic vow to confront the Secretary ended without answers.

What is clear is that Operation Southern Spear has become one of the most polarizing national security initiatives of Trump’s second term—and the political fight over its legality may only be beginning.