Pentagon’s Hegseth Under Scrutiny Over Leaked Yemen Military Plans

U.S. officials are scrutinizing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following a leaked chat revealing sensitive military plans for imminent strikes on Yemen. While the Trump administration claims no classified information was shared, concerns arise regarding the classification’s appropriateness. The issue has prompted calls for accountability, with both Democratic and Republican leaders expressing the need for further investigation.

On Tuesday, U.S. officials redirected the focus onto Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amidst controversy over a leaked chat regarding U.S. military operations in Yemen. The incident follows a report by Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealing that Hegseth shared sensitive information about imminent strikes in a group chat with top national security advisors on the encrypted platform Signal. Details regarding targets, weaponry, and attack sequences were allegedly disclosed, sparking concerns about the classification of such data.

Despite the alarming nature of the revelations, the Trump administration insisted that the chat contained no classified 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 claim, attributing the determination of classification to the Secretary of Defense.

Hegseth has denied sharing any details related to military plans. He asserted, “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that” while on an official trip in Hawaii. This claim was countered by Goldberg, who stated in a CNN interview, “No, that’s a lie. He was texting war plans.”

The Pentagon employs classified systems for secure communication. Ratcliffe noted that the Signal chat was intended for unclassified coordination. A U.S. official indicated that Hegseth could potentially de-classify information; however, another emphasized that such a unilateral action would be questionable. Senate Majority Leader John Thune mentioned the Senate Armed Services Committee would examine the breach.

Representative Don Bacon, who has military experience, urged Hegseth to accept responsibility for the leak, asserting that it endangered lives. He called for honesty from the White House concerning the claims of unclassified information, emphasizing the need for accountability in national security matters.

The situation surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the leaked Yemen chat highlights significant concerns regarding the handling of sensitive military information. While the Trump administration maintains that no classified details were involved, differing opinions persist among national security officials. As investigations continue, accountability and transparency will be critical in addressing the implications of this breach on national security operations.

Original Source: www.usnews.com