WarMonitor on Nostr: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed for the first time this morning on ...
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed for the first time this morning on Fox News that the three senior Pentagon staff members fired last week—Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll—were dismissed due to accusations of leaking classified information. He explained, “When you dismiss people who you believe are leaking classified information, and the investigation is still ongoing, it will take time. Once the evidence is available, it will be handed over to the DOJ. Why would it surprise anyone, Brian, if the same people continue to leak? Once a leaker, always a leaker, often a leaker.”
Hegseth also acknowledged that the investigation into the leaks has not been concluded, and that some of the individuals involved might be “exonerated” after further inquiry. “If one or two of these individuals are cleared after an investigation, great—that’s the purpose of investigations. But we took it seriously. It led to some unfortunate outcomes, involving people I’ve known for quite some time. However, it’s not my job to protect them. My responsibility is to protect national security and the President of the United States.”
Hegseth also acknowledged that the investigation into the leaks has not been concluded, and that some of the individuals involved might be “exonerated” after further inquiry. “If one or two of these individuals are cleared after an investigation, great—that’s the purpose of investigations. But we took it seriously. It led to some unfortunate outcomes, involving people I’ve known for quite some time. However, it’s not my job to protect them. My responsibility is to protect national security and the President of the United States.”