During a tense and highly scrutinized White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to allegations that classified military information had been leaked in a private messaging thread involving senior Trump administration officials.
At the center of the controversy is Pete Hegseth, who allegedly revealed sensitive details regarding the timing and weaponry of a military operation. The leaked messages reportedly included specifics about Tomahawk missile deployments and the use of F-18 fighter jets—information said to have been shared just 31 minutes prior to the operation, raising serious national security concerns.
Leavitt strongly denied that any classified or sensitive information had been exposed. “The Department of Defense has confirmed that the messages did not include any classified intel, operational plans, or details about sensitive sources,” she stated, aligning her remarks with a public statement made earlier that morning by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. She added that top intelligence officials, including the heads of the CIA, FBI, and the Director of National Intelligence, supported this assessment under oath.
Despite repeated questioning from reporters, who referenced the Pentagon’s own classification guidelines, Leavitt stood firm, emphasizing that the administration’s messaging thread did not meet the criteria for classified content. Journalists pushed back, citing specifics of the operation—target details, military assets, and timing—but Leavitt consistently pointed to the Secretary of Defense’s official position.
Adding to the tension, Vice President Mike Pence publicly criticized European allies for what he described as “freeloading” on U.S. military protection—particularly in safeguarding critical maritime routes like the Suez Canal. Leavitt reiterated the administration’s call for NATO members to increase their contributions.
When pressed on whether any resignations or disciplinary actions would follow the incident, Leavitt dismissed the idea, stating that President Trump has full confidence in his national security team. She also criticized the media’s handling of the issue, singling out journalist Jeffrey Goldberg for “bias and sensationalism,” and urged the public to compare his credibility with that of the Defense Secretary.
As questions turned toward the implications for U.S. troops and future operations, Leavitt reaffirmed the administration’s top priority: protecting American lives. She pointed to recent military successes against Houthi targets as proof of effective leadership and strategy.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has offered assistance in investigating how Goldberg’s contact information was inadvertently exposed in the chat. The White House Counsel’s Office and the National Security Council are also conducting internal reviews.
Prominent conservative figures, including Dave Portnoy, have weighed in—Portnoy notably calling for the resignation of Congressman Mike Waltz, who was indirectly linked to the exchange. The administration, however, has stood by Waltz and reaffirmed Trump’s trust in his national security team.
As public scrutiny intensifies, the Trump administration continues to stand by its version of events and defends the integrity of those involved in the controversy over national security communications.
