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Mike Johnson defends boat strike, says survivors were 'able-bodied' and operation followed protocol

After reviewing classified footage of the Sept. 2 boat strike, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the two survivors killed in a follow-up strike were 'able-bodied' drug traffickers, insisting the operation was lawful and conducted with proper intelligence and legal oversight.

Mike Johnson defends boat strike; survivors were able-bodied

U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks at a Hanukkah reception at the U.S. Capitol Building on December 10, 2025 in Washington, DC.

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Vibhuti Pathak
By Vibhuti PathakDec 12, 2025
Vibhuti Pathak

Vibhuti Pathak has been a journalist with Asian Media Group since 2024, bringing fresh perspectives in the social media era. With over six years of experience across print, digital, development, and corporate communications, she covers politics, crime, entertainment, culture, and lifestyle. Starting with local news, she now focuses on British Asians and Indian Americans, connecting diaspora communities while preserving their cultural roots. Her work bridges tradition and modernity, delivering engaging, relevant stories on Bollywood, politics, and community life. Vibhuti’s versatile expertise makes her a vital contributor to the diverse and dynamic audience.

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Highlights:

  • Johnson says follow-on strike killed “able-bodied,” uninjured survivors.
  • He calls the U.S. military’s actions “entirely appropriate” and lawful.
  • Democrats argue the attack may constitute a war crime; Republicans disagree.
  • Johnson cites “exquisite intelligence” showing another drug vessel nearby.
  • Only top lawmakers have viewed the classified video of the strike.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the US military's controversial Sept. 2 boar strike after reviewing classified footage and receiving a detailed briefing from Adm. Frank Bradley, the commander who oversaw the mission. Johnson said Thursday (11) that the two survivors killed in a secondary strike were 'abled-bodied,' disputing claims that they were helpless castaways, and asserted that the US military's actions were 'entirely appropriate.'Only a small number of congressional leaders, including the heads of the House and Senate armed services and intelligence committees, have witnessed the video. They agree that two men survived the initial strike on the alleged Venezuelan drug vessel and were later seen clinging to debris and waving. However, lawmakers remain divided over whether the survivors were seeking help or attempting to signal other drug boats.Some Democrats and legal scholars have raised alarms, arguing that killing shipwrecked survivors could constitute a war crime. They contend the men’s gestures could have indicated distress or a plea to halt further firing. Republicans who viewed the same footage counter that the men appeared uninjured and were trying to signal another vessel to resume drug-running operations.Adm. Bradley ordered the follow-up strike after consulting an on-scene military attorney. Johnson strongly backed that decision, rejecting portrayals of the men as victims. According to Johnson, “They were able-bodied, they were not injured, and they were attempting to recover the contents of the boat, which was full of narcotics.”He added, “The individuals on that vessel were not helpless castaways. They were drug runners on a capsized drug boat, and by all indications, attempting to recover it so they could continue pushing drugs to kill Americans.”Johnson also emphasized that U.S. forces had “exquisite intelligence” showing another drug vessel was nearby. He said the survivors’ arm movements appeared intended to draw in the approaching boat: “They seemed to be waving their arms at some point to indicate that the vessel that was off outside of the video that we have was headed that way, and so that they could continue their mission.”Johnson concluded he was confident in both the legality and execution of the operation. Calling Bradley “one of the most honorable men serving in the U.S. military,” he said the mission followed all legal and procedural requirements. “I’m fully confident that it was done the right way,” Johnson said.
    • intelligencelawmakersus militarymike johnson

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