The Pentagon is examining Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s alleged sharing of sensitive Yemen military strike details in a group chat. Despite White House assurances that no classified information was shared, skepticism persists among officials. An investigation by the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected, highlighting the need for better adherence to classified communication protocols.
The Pentagon is currently scrutinizing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth amid concerns over a leaked group chat regarding U.S. military actions in Yemen. Defense officials are responding to an article by Jeffrey Goldberg, which cited Hegseth’s chats about imminent military strikes involving sensitive details such as targets and attack plans. Trump’s administration is attempting to clarify that the shared information was not classified, despite the skepticism expressed by Democrats and former officials who consider such operational details to be confidential.
President Donald Trump insisted that no classified information was disseminated during the chat. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe echoed this sentiment but indicated that Hegseth held the authority to classify defense information. Hegseth has since denied sharing any war plans, asserting that no such communications occurred in the group chat.
In an interview, Goldberg countered Hegseth’s claims, stating that war plans were indeed communicated. National security officials noted the existence of secure systems designed for handling classified information, highlighting that Hegseth could have declassified details himself. However, it was suggested that his unilateral decision to do so would raise significant concerns regarding proper protocol.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed that the Senate Armed Services Committee should investigate the matter, suggesting an acknowledgment of mistakes by the White House. Representative Don Bacon emphasized the need for Hegseth to take accountability for the breach, as it potentially endangered lives and urged transparency from the administration regarding the situation.
This incident has raised significant concerns over communication protocols within the Department of Defense. With the potential for classified information to be improperly disclosed, it is crucial for officials to adhere strictly to established classification processes. The investigation by the Senate Armed Services Committee may provide further insights into how to prevent such breaches in the future, emphasizing accountability among leadership.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
