Defense Secretary Confronted over Airstrike Communication
During a recent Congressional hearing, Rep. Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts, engaged in a heated discussion with Defense Secretary Pete Hegses regarding the alleged unauthorized sharing of details surrounding U.S. airstrikes against Houthi rebels.
Moulton, a Marine veteran, pressed Hegses to take responsibility for his actions, asking specific questions about the operations. He inquired, “When the F-18 entered combat and was faced with anti-aircraft missiles—did its launch time originate from Central Command?”
Secretary Hegses avoided a direct response, asserting that communication from the Secretary of Defense is classified. “The way the Secretary communicates and shares information has its own protocols, as you might know,” he stated.
Moulton followed up, questioning the classification status of the information he received, emphasizing the need for transparency in how such operational details are labeled.
Instead of addressing Moulton’s inquiries directly, Hegses deflected by citing the successful outcome of the mission. “What’s not classified is that it was a very successful mission against the Houthis,” he remarked.
Moulton shot back, “Well, that part was classified. You say it isn’t?” Hegses replied, “I’m not trying to say anything.”
Additionally, Moulton accused Hegses of acting upon significant classified information from Central Command, which was purportedly discussed outside of secure channels. He expressed concerns about the implications of such actions and pointed out that the Pentagon Inspector General plans to release a report on the matter shortly.
Shifting topics, Moulton scrutinized the financial implications of the ongoing U.S. campaign against the Houthis. Referring to reports indicating costs exceeding $1 billion, he queried, “How many American commercial vessels have been impacted in the Red Sea since this so-called successful operation?” His answer? “Zero.”
This back-and-forth highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding military operations and communication protocols within the U.S. government. The scrutiny over this exchange continues amidst an investigation into the handling of classified information.
