The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, said surveillance video of a U.S. military strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel contradicts claims made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Republicans.

Smith, who viewed the footage, said the surviving individuals were unarmed, stranded, and unable to fight, disputing assertions that they were attempting to recover drugs or reengage.

He argued the administration is reluctant to release the video because it would undermine its justification for the second strike.

Republicans, including Sen. Tom Cotton and Sen. Eric Schmitt, defended the operation’s legality, saying cartels are legitimate targets, ABC News has reported.

Democrats are pushing for the video and a related legal memo to be released amid concerns over whether the administration exceeded its authority.