US president calls newest controversy over defence chief’s dealing with of army data a ‘waste of time’.
United States President Donald Trump has backed his defence chief following reviews he shared delicate army data in a second Sign group chat, branding the most recent controversy in regards to the high Pentagon official a “waste of time”.
Trump’s backing of US Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth on Monday got here after a number of media shops reported that the defence chief had shared particulars about deliberate bombing raids on Yemen in a bunch chat that included his spouse, brother and private lawyer.
The reviews have reignited scrutiny of Hegseth’s management, following revelations final month that he shared details about upcoming air strikes on Houthi rebels in a Sign group chat that the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic journal had been mistakenly added to.
“Right here we go once more. Only a waste of time,” Trump instructed reporters on the White Home.
“He’s doing an important job.”
“Ask the Houthis how he’s doing,” Trump added.
Trump additionally prompt that Hegseth, a former US Military Nationwide Guard officer and Fox Information host, was the sufferer of “disgruntled workers”, after a number of of his former aides, together with his former press secretary, John Ullyot, publicly criticised him.
In an op-ed printed on Sunday, Ullyot, considered one of 4 defence officers that Hegseth fired or requested to resign within the final week, wrote that the Pentagon was in “disarray” and “complete chaos” below the secretary’s management.
“They only convey up tales,” Trump stated.
“I assume it feels like disgruntled workers. You already know, he was put there to do away with lots of unhealthy individuals, and that’s what he’s doing. So that you don’t all the time have associates if you try this.”
Hegseth additionally hit out on the criticisms, accusing the media of utilizing former workers with grievances “to slash and burn individuals and destroy their reputations”.
Quite a few Democratic lawmakers, together with Senate minority chief Chuck Schumer, have known as on Hegseth to resign or be fired over the controversy.
Republicans, excluding Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska – who has known as for Hegseth’s removing – have both remained silent or rallied to his defence.
“It looks like the leak investigation on the Pentagon must proceed to seek out these newest leakers,” Republican Senator Tom Cotton, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated on X.
“Secretary Hegseth is busy implementing President Trump’s America First agenda, whereas these leakers are attempting to undermine them each. Shameful.”
