NEW: ABC News Vindicates Pete Hegseth With Huge Update On Drug Boat Probe

Two men who lived through the U.S. military’s early-September hit on an alleged drug boat were trying to haul themselves back aboard and salvage drugs before a second strike wiped them out, a source familiar with the operation told ABC News on Wednesday.

The pair allegedly scrambled to retrieve part of the drug load, the source said. They also appeared to be communicating with others as additional boats circled nearby, a point Special Operations Command chief Adm. Mitch Bradley is expected to lay out for lawmakers behind closed doors.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amplified ABC News’ report by reposting a video on X.

On “World News Tonight,” Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz effectively backed up Hegseth’s account to viewers.

“And tonight, new information: According to a source familiar with the incident, the two survivors climbed back onto the boat after the initial strike. They were believed to be potentially in communication with others, and salvaging some of the drugs,” Raddatz reported.

“Because of that, it was determined they were still in the fight and valid targets. A JAG officer was also giving legal advice. So, again, David, that video will be key and Admiral Bradley will be on the Hill tomorrow behind closed doors.”

ABC’s Martha Raddatz on Wednesday’s ‘World News Tonight’ about drug boat-gate: “And tonight, new information: According to a source familiar with the incident, the two survivors climbed back on to the boat after the initial strike. They were believed to be potentially in… pic.twitter.com/R5eHFzzDql

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) December 4, 2025

The Sept. 2 mission was the first in a string of more than 20 Trump-era attacks on suspected drug-running vessels. It has drawn fresh scrutiny after The Washington Post revealed the military hit the same boat twice, killing two survivors from the initial blast. The paper claimed the follow-up strike happened because Hegseth allegedly said everyone on board should be killed.

The White House acknowledged the second strike this week but rejected the idea that Hegseth ordered it. Hegseth has maintained that the call came from Bradley, the mission commander, and insists the operation was lawful and justified.

Bradley is delivering classified testimony on Thursday to both the House and Senate Armed Services committees. He is expected to present video from the operation and detail his decision-making, a source told CBS News.

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will join Bradley for the briefings, according to a U.S. official.

Democrats have seized on the controversy, demanding Hegseth resign, while a fringe faction dubbed the “Seditious Six” has gone so far as to urge military personnel to ignore orders from the administration and top commanders.

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