Pentagon’s Hegseth Faces Scrutiny Over Sensitive Yemen Operations Leaks

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under scrutiny following leaked information about U.S. military operations in Yemen. Questions arise regarding whether classified details were improperly shared through an encrypted chat. Trump administration officials, including Hegseth, maintain that the information was unclassified, though this stance has faced challenges from lawmakers and intelligence experts. Investigations are expected to ensure future compliance with communication protocols.

Recent developments involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have drawn significant attention following a leak regarding U.S. military operations in Yemen. On Tuesday, senior intelligence officials aimed to redirect scrutiny back to Hegseth, who had allegedly disclosed sensitive information via an encrypted group chat, as reported by The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg. The details shared purportedly included war plans ahead of U.S. strikes on Yemen aimed at the Houthi forces.

Goldberg’s revelations suggested that Hegseth shared specifics about military targets and weaponry shortly before planned attacks commenced. In contrast, Trump’s administration has maintained that no classified information was released during these communications, a statement that has confused some lawmakers and past officials, given the nature of the information. President Trump stated, “There was no classified information, as I understand it.”

Both Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe echoed this stance, although they noted that it would be up to Hegseth to classify the defense information. Ratcliffe emphasized that the Secretary of Defense holds the authority to make such classifications. Gabbard also reiterated her deference to Hegseth regarding the potential classification of military details related to the strikes.

In response to allegations regarding the sharing of war plans, Hegseth firmly denied such actions, stating, “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that.” However, Goldberg contested this assertion during a CNN interview, labeling Hegseth’s statement as a falsehood.

The group chat initiated by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was intended for unclassified exchanges, highlighting a need for caution in discussing sensitive military operations. A U.S. official indicated that Hegseth held the capacity to declassify the shared information, albeit without formal processes. Another source expressed doubt regarding Hegseth’s unilateral actions in this context, labeling it “extremely suspect.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the Senate Armed Services Committee intends to investigate the matter, acknowledging that “mistakes were made” and expressing a desire to prevent future occurrences. Additionally, Representative Don Bacon emphasized the need for Hegseth to accept accountability for the situation, which he stated jeopardized lives, urging honesty from the White House regarding the classification of details shared in the chat.

The controversy surrounding Secretary Hegseth’s comments in a group chat has ignited critical discussions regarding the classification of military information and communication protocols among senior officials. While the Trump administration asserts that no classified material was disclosed, this assertion contrasts with reactions from lawmakers and intelligence officials who question the context and nature of the information shared. Further investigations by the Senate Armed Services Committee are anticipated as stakeholders seek to address potential lapses in communication and responsibility.

Original Source: www.usnews.com