The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell Lawrence: Trump tries Epstein-style cover-up of second boat strike video
Dec 11, 2025
Rep. Adam Smith, a prominent Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, discusses the pressing need to release the controversial second boat strike video involving Trump. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and outlines potential investigations into military operations. Smith also dives into the Democrats' approach to tracking Trump officials' connections with immigration contractors. In a broader context, the narrative critiques Trump's tactics to divert attention from scandalous issues, drawing parallels to past cover-ups.
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Release Video And Subpoena Records
- Rep. Adam Smith says the military must publicly release the second-strike video so the public can evaluate it.
- He recommends subpoenas and obtaining documentation up and down the chain of command to establish legal authority.
After-The-Fact Legal Justification
- Adam Smith notes the legal memo justifying the strikes was written after the September 2 strike and seen late by key officials.
- That timing undermines the asserted pre-existing legal authority for the operations.
Epstein Files Will Be Disclosed
- Jamie Raskin says the Epstein Files Transparency Act forces rapid disclosure while protecting victims' privacy.
- He predicts widespread release of grand jury and discovery materials under the law.
