The spotlight is on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after he reportedly shared sensitive military details in a group chat about U.S. strikes in Yemen. Despite assertions that no classified information was released, concerns about protocol violations and responsibility have emerged, prompting an investigation by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
On Tuesday, the focus shifted to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding sensitive information he shared in a chat about upcoming U.S. attacks in Yemen. The Trump administration is attempting to mitigate the backlash from an article by Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, which detailed Hegseth’s participation in an encrypted group chat among senior national security advisors, where war plans were discussed.
Goldberg reported that Hegseth shared essential details, including target information, weaponry, and the sequencing of the attacks before the first strikes on March 15. Despite this revelation, the administration maintained that no classified information was exchanged, which has left many puzzled, including Democratic officials who believe such targeting data is typically heavily guarded before military operations.
President Trump, as well as national intelligence leaders like Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, stated that no classified details were implicated, pointing to Hegseth as the key authority for determining the classification status of defense information. Ratcliffe indicated that the Secretary of Defense decides what constitutes classified material, while Gabbard deferred to Hegseth and the National Security Council for specific questions on the classified nature of military timing and sequencing details.
Hegseth refuted claims of leaking war plans during an official visit to Hawaii, asserting, “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that.” However, Goldberg countered Hegseth’s denials, stating, “No, that’s a lie. He was texting war plans.”
Officials noted there are classified channels designed for secure communications, with Ratcliffe mentioning that the Signal chat was meant for unclassified coordination. He expressed that the National Security Advisor Mike Waltz aimed to facilitate communication among senior officials without replacing classified channels for sensitive information.
A U.S. official observed that Hegseth might have the authority to declassify information originating from the Defense Department without a formal procedure. Another official, however, warned that any unilateral declassification by Hegseth would raise significant concerns. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the Senate Armed Services Committee would investigate the situation, emphasizing an acknowledgment from the White House regarding mistakes made during this incident.
The article outlines significant concerns regarding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s sharing of sensitive details in a chat related to military operations in Yemen. The Trump administration’s insistence that no classified information was disseminated has been challenged by various officials. The ongoing investigation by the Senate Armed Services Committee aims to address potential breaches of protocol and responsibilities related to classified material.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
