The US President calls the latest debate over the handling of military information “a waste of time.”
President Donald Trump supported his defense chief and branded the latest controversy about top Pentagon officials as a “waste of time” following reports that he shared sensitive military intelligence in the second Signal Group chat.
The support of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegses on Monday came after multiple media outlets reported that they shared details about the planned bombing raid in Yemen in a group chat that includes their wife, brothers and personal lawyers.
The report rekindled scrutiny of Hegseth’s leadership following revelation last month that the Atlantic editor-in-chief shared details about the upcoming air strikes of the Hooty rebels in a signal group chat that was accidentally added.
“We’re going again. It’s a waste of time,” Trump told White House reporters.
“He’s doing a great job.”
“Ask Houthis how he’s doing,” Trump added.
Trump also suggested that former US Army National Soldier and Fox News host Hegseth was the victim of “disgruntled employees” after several of his former aides, including former reporter John Uriott, publicly criticized him.
In the OP-ED released on Sunday, Ullyot, one of four defense officials who Hegseth asked him to fire or resign last week, wrote that the Pentagon was “confusion” and “complete confusion” under the secretary’s leadership.
“They just cultivate stories,” Trump said.
“I think it sounds like a disgruntled employee. He was put there to drive away a lot of bad people, and that’s what he’s doing.
Hegseth also bumped into criticism and accused him of using former employees with complaints “to burn people and ruin their reputation.”
Many Democrats, including Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, have urged Hegses to step down or fire the controversy.
With the exception of Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Republicans have called for Hegses to be removed – either remain silent or have gathered in his defense.
Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Email Committee, said of X: “It appears that leak investigations in the Pentagon should continue to find these latest leaks.”
“Chief Hegses is busy implementing President Trump’s first American agenda, but these leaks are trying to undermine both of them. It’s embarrassing.”
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