U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that suspects in the leak of sensitive military information will face potential charges from the Department of Justice, the New York Post reported.
Struggles within the Pentagon intensified after several aides were fired amid unauthorized revelations of classified documents and discussions.
Hegseth, speaking on Fox News, has been vocal in condemning those responsible for leaking critical military strategies and personnel changes. The ongoing investigation aims to unmask those who disseminated details about U.S. operational plans for the Panama Canal and a confidential briefing with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The inquiry follows a shake-up within the Department of Defense, where notable figures like Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, Colin Carroll, and John Ullyot all lost their positions. Hegseth has placed the blame squarely on these individuals for contributing to the current unrest by leaking information.
In particular, John Ullyot faced scrutiny for his prior involvement in pulling down an official tribute page to legendary athlete Jackie Robinson. This action reportedly stirred controversy in Politico, adding to the challenging circumstances under Hegseth's leadership.
The leaking scandal deepened when former files indicated Hegseth's possible involvement in sharing classified information. Screenshots reportedly showed him discussing airstrike details against Houthi militants, transmitted through the messaging app Signal.
Despite suggestions of misconduct, Hegseth has actively rejected claims that war plans were discussed via text messages. Meanwhile, past national security officials have noted that these airstrike missions, as sensitive undertakings, were typically classified.
The integrity breach intensified as accidental disclosures reached Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, forwarded inadvertently by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. This mishandling emphasized concerns regarding secure communication within defense circles.
Allegations of carelessly forwarding classified flight schedules to family members surfaced as part of the scandal's narrative. Hegseth has consistently maintained his stance that the truth will surface in the investigation's findings, emphasizing that "no one’s texting war plans."
As the inquiry progresses, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has kept the administration's support for Hegseth steadfast, countering rumors of considering replacements. President Trump’s backing remains unequivocal amid the unfolding situation.
Meanwhile, departing spokesperson John Ullyot described the working environment under Hegseth as extremely challenging, referring to the ordeal as a complicated "month from hell." His forewarning of imminent, revelatory stories adds to the anticipation and uncertainty surrounding the defense department.
Hegseth has made it clear that, once substantial evidence from the probe is gathered, those implicated will face prosecutorial measures from the DOJ if necessary. He acknowledges the swift pace at which these developments have unfolded.
He stressed that "those folks leaking have been pushed out," pointing to the action against former aides to safeguard the department's continuing objectives. Hegseth's remarks have indicated his expectation for accountability to emerge from the ongoing investigation.
In this turbulent backdrop, opinions among current and former officials vary. Released staffer Dan Caldwell has emphatically rejected claims, insinuating they would have led to his arrest if factual.
