“The Department does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters but takes all leaks of classified national security information extremely seriously and investigates accordingly. Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world.
Pentagon Spokesman
Chief Pentagon Spokesman under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Statements (11)
“The idea that these lists cannot be altered is ridiculous; every single secretary has exercised this exact prerogative.
“Publishing highly classified assessments from the Secretary’s orders book is a crime. It’s a betrayal of the force.
“Of course, we demand candid military advice. Non-concurs are standard. The Secretary sees them constantly. That’s how you run a real military.
“Decisions regarding the scope and duration of specific force commitments to any Combatant Command are made based on the current threat assessment, strategic priorities established by the President, and the advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Combatant Commanders.
“Military promotions are given to those who have earned them. This has always been the case under Secretary Hegseth and will not change.
“We have everything required to strike at the time and place of the President's choosing. Across multiple combatant commands, we have already executed successful operations while maintaining a deep, ready arsenal to defend our people and our interests.
“The lawsuit is without merit, and the Department expects to prevail.
“We will modernize its operations, refocus its content away from woke distractions that syphon morale, and adapt it to serve a new generation of service members. Stars & Stripes will be custom tailored to our warfighters. It will focus on warfighting, weapons systems, fitness, lethality, survivability, and ALL THINGS MILITARY. No more repurposed DC gossip columns; no more Associated Press reprints.
“The Department of War remains fully committed to working with Congress to ensure our warfighters have the resources necessary to execute their mission.
“The Department of Defense disagrees with the ruling and intends to appeal. The Department has at all times complied with the Court's Order. The revised policy addressed the concerns raised by the judge. The Department remains committed to press access at the Pentagon while fulfilling its statutory obligation to ensure the safe and secure operation of the Pentagon Reservation.