By Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - A U.S. military commander is expected to tell lawmakers on Thursday that survivors of a strike on a boat in the Caribbean were legitimate targets for a second attack because their vessel was still believed to contain illegal narcotics,

The Trump administration is facing mounting congressional pushback over more than 20 military strikes in Caribbean, as lawmakers seek to limit Venezuela operations.

The United States changed its protocols after Secretary Hegseth allegedly told officials to "kill everybody" onboard an a Caribbean vessel in September.

A look at what Pete Hegseth has said about the deadly strike in the Carribean—and how his explanations have changed

Trump said he supports releasing footage of second military strike on an alleged drug boat in Caribbean waters, amid growing scrutiny over operations in the region.

Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met behind closed doors with key House and Senate committees to discuss the Sept. 2 strike near Venezuela, including a follow-up attack that killed two survivors after the initial missile hit, per The Associated Press.