Reed Statement on Congressional Investigation of Trump’s Boat Strike Campaign

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement regarding the ongoing congressional inquiries into the Trump Administration's military operations in Caribbean and Eastern Pacific:

"I remain entirely dissatisfied with the Trump Administration's engagement with Congress regarding its boat strike campaign in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. The Senate Armed Services Committee has been denied basic information, documents, and answers from the Department of Defense about this campaign.

"For months, in multiple briefings, the Department omitted the fact that there were two survivors in the initial September 2^nd strike. We learned the circumstances of the strike from press reports. That is completely unacceptable. Given the repeated lack of transparency from the Department in this instance and others, it is imperative that we receive the requested materials covering this operation.

"I appreciate the partnership of my colleagues on the Senate and House Armed Services Committees for exercising oversight and holding multiple briefings the past several weeks, but much more work remains. In particular, given the continued questions surrounding the September 2^nd strike, there should be additional congressional inquiries and an independent command investigation to understand all of the facts and garner lessons learned.

"I would reiterate the need for DOD to provide documents and information requested by the Senate Armed Services Committee, including several that are required by existing law and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, including:

• The Execute Orders guiding these operations;
• Unedited video of all strikes;
• The updated legal and policy framework reports;
• All audio, transcripts, and chat logs of communications between commanders, aircraft, and others involved in the Sept. 2nd strike;
• Regular staff briefings on the operations;
• Responses to dozens of written follow-up questions seeking clarification of initial notifications; and
• Updated costs of the operations.

"I respect the difficult and dangerous missions that we ask of our servicemembers, and all Americans should be grateful for their sacrifice.

"But the United States military answers to the American people. Congress has not authorized any armed conflict, yet the Trump Administration is undertaking military operations in America's name, under circumstances where there is no imminent military threat to the country, and Congress - the representatives of the people - deserves answers. I will continue to press the Department of Defense and my colleagues in Congress for the transparency this Administration owes the American people."

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