Defense Secretary Pete Hegses mentioned in an interview on Tuesday that a former aide, who was dismissed last week during a probe into leaks at the Pentagon, might face charges once the investigation concludes.
“We will conduct an investigation. When we do, we’ll follow where it leads,” Hegses stated in a chat with Brian Kilmead on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”
“As soon as the evidence was sufficiently collected – and this unfolded quite rapidly – it was forwarded to the DOJ, and those individuals will be charged as necessary,” the secretary noted.
Hegseth expressed skepticism about the investigation yielding favorable results for the terminated employees.
“Because we approach this with great seriousness and carry out the investigation, if those individuals are cleared, is that a win?” Heggs commented in a discussion.
“Considering what we know, I don’t believe it will be a favorable outcome for many because of the findings from our inquiry,” he added.
On Friday, the Pentagon terminated senior aides Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darrin Selnick. They had initially been placed on paid administrative leave and removed from the premises. Their dismissal came after the DOD initiated inquiries into information leaks to media outlets.
The three political appointees released a joint statement on Saturday expressing their discontent over not being informed about the reasons for their investigation and stating they were “deeply disappointed by how our service at the Department of Defense concluded.”
“An unidentified official at the Pentagon tarnished our reputation with an unfounded accusation on their way out,” they remarked.
Kilmeade questioned in an interview regarding the former aide’s assertion that they had not been asked about the leak and had not undergone a phone search, as per standard investigation protocols. They also mentioned they were not required to take a polygraph test.
“So why were they released without an investigation?” Kilmeade inquired.
“Well, Brian, given the serious nature of multiple leaks from the Pentagon, we determined it was warranted to commence a leak investigation, which was subsequently forwarded to OSI, the special investigator at the DOD,” Hegses replied.
“During that investigation, information emerged that necessitated action. That’s the procedure… When we really focused on investigating the leak, Brian reiterated,” he continued. “It’s simple to claim, ‘Oh, we questioned everyone, and all said they’re innocent.’ Alternatively, you could take it seriously and declare, ‘I don’t believe leaks are acceptable in this department.’”
Following a report by the New York Times on Sunday, Hegses is under renewed scrutiny after it was revealed that he shared an attack plan on Yemen’s Houthis in a Signal thread with his wife, brother, and personal attorney. He set up a chat and disclosed information from his personal phone,the outlet indicated.
Hegseth stated on Tuesday morning that the messages exchanged in the Signal thread were “unofficial” and “unclassified.”
