Warner criticizes Hegseth over classified information breach, questions Caribbean military strikes
Virginia senator calls for accountability after inspector general finds defense secretary endangered Norfolk-based pilots through unsecured communications.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) sharply criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Thursday following an inspector general’s report that found the secretary violated Department of Defense policy by sharing classified information through unsecured personal communications during military strikes against Yemen. The report concludes Hegseth’s actions potentially endangered the lives of Norfolk-based pilots aboard the USS Truman.
Warner, who serves as vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, called for Hegseth’s removal during a media availability, saying the secretary’s handling of classified information was “irresponsible” and put sailors “in harm’s way.”
The inspector general’s investigation stems from strikes against Houthis in Yemen several months ago, when Hegseth shared operational details through his private phone on an unsecured Signal chat that included not only security officials but family members.
“The inspector general has come out and said the following conclusions. One, this was clearly classified information. Two, while the secretary of defense has the ability to declassify information, he made no indication at that time or frankly, even afterwards, that he went through any kind of declassification process,” Warner said.
The report found that Hegseth’s communications included specific timing of strikes and target information. Warner noted the security breach came to light because officials “were so sloppy that they put a journalist on the signal chat.”
“If the bad guys had been able to figure that out, and the Houthis did have missile defenses and do have missile defenses, we could have lost pilots,” Warner said.
Warner said he first called for an investigation in the spring after hearing from sailors’ families in Norfolk who were “frankly pissed off that their sons and daughters could have been put in harm’s way.”
The Virginia senator also raised concerns about a separate military incident involving strikes on boats in the Caribbean on Sept. 2, where 12 people were aboard a vessel that was bombed. Warner said Hegseth has provided conflicting accounts of the incident.
“At first, he thumped his chest and said it was great that he watched this whole bombing incident take place,” Warner said. “It came out subsequently that, well, he offered an order to kill them all.”
Warner said Hegseth later changed his position multiple times, first saying there was no second strike, then acknowledging a second strike but attributing it to Adm. Frank Mitchell Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.
“What is really the rub here is that as opposed to being this big, tough guy that says, the buck stops with me whenever there’s controversy, he tries to pawn it off on someone else,” Warner said.
The senator planned to meet with Bradley Thursday afternoon to seek clarification on the Caribbean incident, including whether the people in the water posed a continued threat after the initial strike.
“If you’ve got folks that are in the water, how are they still a threat, scrambling for their lives?” Warner asked. “My understanding from every expert I’ve talked to, if you are killing folks that are in duress, that are not trying to fight back, that’s against international law.”
Warner questioned whether the boat actually contained drugs, noting that most intercepted drug boats typically carry fewer than six people to maximize cargo space, while this vessel had 12 people aboard.
The senator expressed concern about the broader pattern of military leadership changes under the current administration, citing the firing of generals in charge of the National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency “for political reasons.”
Warner also criticized the administration’s approach to potential military action in Venezuela, saying thousands of Norfolk-based sailors are deployed in the Caribbean without clear congressional authorization.
“There’s been no presidential directive on Venezuela,” Warner said, noting his position on the Gang of Eight intelligence briefing group. “So is the president trying to cook up a conflict to try to take people’s attention off of the affordability crisis?”
While acknowledging that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro “is a bad guy” and that the U.S. has not recognized his government, Warner said any military action requires congressional approval.
“If he’s saying we’re at war with Venezuela, he needs to declare war. And he’s taken no such actions,” Warner said.
During the media availability, Warner also addressed the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies, warning that 24 million Americans could lose coverage. He said Virginia families could see premium increases of up to $1,000 per month.
“We’re hearing from Virginians every day,” Warner said, citing an example of a 65-year-old family in Roanoke making $70,000 annually who currently pays $600-800 monthly but could see costs rise significantly.
Democrats plan to propose a simple extension of the subsidies in next week’s vote, though Warner expressed skepticism about Republican support.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ve seen any serious efforts from the administration, from my Republican colleagues,” Warner said. “They’ve had now 10 plus years to try to come up with a health care alternative. They’re batting zero.”
The senator concluded the availability by noting he would host elementary school students from Fairfax County for his annual Christmas tree decorating tradition, calling it “a much-needed respite” from the day’s serious topics.
