Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, responded to allegations of leaking Yemen war plans to journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. The claims originated from a Signal group chat mistakenly shared with Goldberg, which contained sensitive military details. Hegseth criticized Goldberg’s reporting and denied sharing classified information, while a White House spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of the communication. President Trump expressed his unfamiliarity with the matter, further underlining the administration’s tension.

Pete Hegseth, the United States Secretary of Defense, has addressed allegations concerning the leaking of sensitive military plans regarding a strike in Yemen to journalist Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic. The issue arose when Goldberg reported that members of the Trump administration mistakenly added him to a Signal group chat discussing classified operations targeting Houthi positions. A White House spokesperson has confirmed the legitimacy of the text conversation, emphasizing the need for a review of the situation.

During a tense exchange with a Fox News reporter shortly after arriving at Pearl Harbor, Hegseth dismissed the allegations as stemming from a “deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist,” referring to Goldberg. He further criticized Goldberg for his previous reporting, suggesting it lacked credibility. Hegseth asserted that while he closely monitors military campaigns, the characterization of the events was incorrect and emphasized that “nobody was texting war plans.”

The administration’s response comes amidst significant political challenges, with President Trump also commenting on the situation. He expressed a lack of familiarity with the details, stating, “I don’t know anything about it. I’m not a big fan of The Atlantic.” This incident reflects the ongoing scrutiny surrounding communication protocols within the national security framework, especially following the revelations made public by Goldberg.

In summary, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has strongly denied allegations regarding the leaking of war plans for a Yemen military operation, rejecting the integrity of the journalist involved. The authenticity of the communication in question has been acknowledged by a White House official. This incident highlights the complexities and potential vulnerabilities within government communications, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding media relations and national security.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk

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