In an unfolding controversy that has ensnared President Donald Trump’s cabinet, several national security officials have shifted responsibility to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding potentially classified information shared in a group chat about U.S. military strikes in Yemen. During recent testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, both CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard denied that classified information was included in the chat, despite pointed questions from outraged Democrats.
Under oath, Gabbard stated, “There were no classified or intelligence equities that were included in that chat group at any time.” Ratcliffe echoed her sentiments, emphasizing, “the Secretary of Defense is the original classification authority for determining whether something is classified or not.” Both officials noted that they were deferring the classification question to Hegseth.
The inquiry emerged following media reports that Hegseth had sent operational details about forthcoming strikes against Iran-backed militants in Yemen to a chat group that included a journalist. While general discussions on foreign policy are typically considered sensitive, the particulars surrounding military operations, including timing and targets, are generally classified to protect the safety of U.S. service members.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton interjected during the testimony to clarify that the distinction drawn by Gabbard and Ratcliffe was between classified military intelligence under the defense secretary’s authority and civilian intelligence information, like that of the CIA.
However, the probing persisted as Democrats pointed out contradictions in the testimonies, claiming that clear communication of classified intent was lacking. Hegseth, during press briefings, categorically denied discussing war plans over text, despite previously having acknowledged the authenticity of the messages leaked to The Atlantic. He responded dismissively to allegations directed at him, describing the journalist involved as “deceitful and highly discredited.”
Trump himself weighed in on the situation, telling reporters that there “was no classified information, as I understand it,” shared over the Signal app. He stopped short of identifying the source of this assurance. Meanwhile, the dispute persists over whether Hegseth exercised his authority correctly and if the details shared in the chat represented a breach of protocol.
In summary, while Hegseth claims no inappropriate information was discussed, the overarching concerns about transparency and protocol in Trump’s administration continue to be highlighted, with many lawmakers calling for greater accountability. Republican voices, including Rep. Don Bacon, have pointedly suggested that Hegseth bears significant accountability for the situation given his role as Secretary of Defense. This controversy presents yet another challenge for President Trump as he navigates the complexities of his cabinet and national security affairs.