Pentagon’s Hegseth Under Fire Over Sensitive Yemen Chat Leak
Intelligence officials are focusing on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following the disclosure of sensitive military details in a group chat about upcoming Yemen strikes. While administration members assert no classified information was shared, this claim contrasts with concerns from former officials and current lawmakers. The Senate Armed Services Committee is likely to investigate the matter, as calls for accountability grow within Congress.
On Tuesday, U.S. intelligence officials directed attention toward Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as they sought clarification regarding highly sensitive information he shared in a group chat concerning forthcoming military strikes in Yemen. The focus arose after an article published by Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic revealed Hegseth’s involvement in an encrypted conversation with senior national security advisors, where he allegedly disclosed operational details. Hegseth is asserted to have posted plans, including target information, from a publicly accessible location.
Despite the gravity of the situation, administration officials, including President Donald Trump, affirmed that no classified information was exchanged during the chat, which prompted concern from Democrats and former defense personnel. They noted that the nature of such operational details is typically considered sensitive and closely guarded prior to military action. As stated by Trump, “There was no classified information, as I understand it.”
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Chief John Ratcliffe echoed this assertion but emphasized that it was Hegseth’s responsibility to determine the classification status of the information. Ratcliffe specified, “The Secretary of Defense is the original classification authority for DOD in deciding what would be classified information.” Both officials deferred to Hegseth regarding more specific queries about potential classified information.
In response to queries about shared information, Hegseth denied divulging war plans, stating, “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that.” Conversely, Goldberg contested this claim during a CNN interview, stating flatly, “No, that’s a lie. He was texting war plans.”
Despite acknowledgment of potential missteps, officials highlighted the use of classified communication systems intended for secure exchanges. Ratcliffe clarified that the Signal chat, organized by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, was designed for coordinating unclassified discussions among senior officials. While one unnamed U.S. official indicated that Hegseth could have declassified the information, another cautioned that unilateral declassification actions would be viewed with suspicion by the Pentagon.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the Senate Armed Services Committee would likely investigate the incident. He remarked, “I think everybody has acknowledged, including the White House, that mistakes were made.” Additionally, Republican Representative Don Bacon emphasized that Hegseth must bear responsibility for risking lives through the breach of information, urging for transparency regarding the White House statements.
In summary, the controversy surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s sharing of sensitive details in a group chat about impending military actions in Yemen has generated significant scrutiny. While administration officials claim that no classified information was discussed, the implications of revealing operational details are considerable. The incident highlights the critical nature of maintaining strict communication protocols within the government, suggesting that further investigations may be necessary to prevent future breaches.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
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