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 stories he shared delicate army data in a second Sign group chat, branding the most recent controversy concerning the prime 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 retailers 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 stories 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 a fantastic 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 staff”, 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, one in all 4 defence officers that Hegseth fired or requested to resign within the final week, wrote that the Pentagon was in “disarray” and “whole chaos” below the secretary’s management.
“They simply convey up tales,” Trump stated.
“I suppose it seems like disgruntled staff. You already know, he was put there to eliminate lots of unhealthy folks, and that’s what he’s doing. So that you don’t at all times have associates whenever you do this.”
Hegseth additionally hit out on the criticisms, accusing the media of utilizing former staff with grievances “to slash and burn folks and smash their reputations”.
Quite a few Democratic lawmakers, together with Senate minority chief Chuck Schumer, have referred to as on Hegseth to resign or be fired over the controversy.
Republicans, except Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska – who has referred to as for Hegseth’s removing – have both remained silent or rallied to his defence.
“It looks as if the leak investigation on the Pentagon must proceed to search 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.”
