Hegseth Denounces Journalist for Allegedly Spreading Military Hoaxes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg of spreading hoaxes after he was mistakenly included in a military group chat discussing Yemen. Hegseth labeled Goldberg as deceitful and questioned how sensitive information was disclosed to him, refusing to comment further on the matter.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly denounced Jeffrey Goldberg, the Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, accusing him of “peddling hoaxes” related to classified military discussions. This accusation arose after Goldberg was inadvertently included in a group chat intended for Trump’s national security team, where plans concerning Yemen were discussed. Hegseth characterized Goldberg as a “deceitful” figure and a “so-called journalist” during a visit to Hawaii for his first Indo-Pacific trip as defense secretary.

In response to inquiries about how sensitive information regarding Yemen’s conflict with the Houthis was disclosed to a journalist, Hegseth criticized Goldberg further, labeling him as someone who “peddles in garbage.” He refrained from providing explanations regarding the use of Signal for classified communications or how Goldberg managed to join the chat. Hegseth’s comments highlight concerns over the integrity of journalism and the handling of sensitive military information, raising questions about the protocols followed within the national security apparatus.

In summary, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has accused journalist Jeffrey Goldberg of disseminating false information after Goldberg was mistakenly included in a conversation about sensitive military strategies on Yemen. Hegseth’s statements reflect deep concerns about journalistic practices and the safeguarding of classified information, underscoring a growing tension between government officials and the media regarding national security matters.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk