“It’s so beyond what I would expect from anyone in the #military,” said Commander Kuldau, who also flew combat missions in the Middle East. “The idea that the secretary of #defense, who should know better, has done this, is just mind-boggling.”

#Hegseth added:

“1345: ‘Trigger Based’ F-18 1st Strike window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME).”

This text was two hours in advance of the strikes.

“1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package).”

And then, “1536: F-18 2nd Strike Starts — also first sea-based Tomahawks launched.”

That text gave almost three hours’ notice.

He & other pilots said that each day since Mon, when #TheAtlantic published an article about the chat disclosures, had brought a stunning new revelation. First came the news that #Hegseth had put the operational sequencing, or flight schedules, for the F/A-18 Hornets targeting the #Houthi militia in #Yemen on March 15 in the unclassified #Signal group chat, which included several other snr #Trump ofcls.

The #intelligence breach was bad enough, current & former #FighterPilots said. But #Defense Secy #PeteHegseth’s refusal to acknowledge that he should not have disclosed sensitive info about when American fighter pilots would attack sites in #Yemen, they said, was even worse.

On #AirBases, in #AircraftCarrier “ready rooms” & in communities near #military bases this week, there was consternation.

American Oversight v. #Hegseth (#Houthi #Signal Group Chat)

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Judge James E. #Boasberg: Motion Hearing held on 3/27/2025 re 6 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by AMERICAN OVERSIGHT. Oral arguments heard. Order forthcoming. (Court Reporter Tammy Nestor) (znbn)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69788832/american-oversight-v-hegseth/

…#Hegseth & other snr officials have argued that the information he shared was not #classified, & that it was ultimately up to his dept to decide what of its info should be considered classified.

#NationalSecurity experts said that argument fails a test of basic common sense about the danger of letting #military plans leak before an operation, & that it goes against longtime practice among military & #intelligence agencies.

Dating back to at least the Reagan admin, the govt has considered the details of “#military plans, weapons, or operations” to be #classified.

…Under federal #law, it is possible for people to be charged with crimes for mishandling national #defense information that is not classified, but such prosecutions are very rare.

The #DOJ opened investigations into Clinton & Biden in those instances, but neither ultimately faced criminal charges. She did not mention the prosecution of #Trump over his mishandling of #ClassifiedDocuments after his first term — a case which was ultimately abandoned when he won a second term.

In this case, #PamBondi seemed to be ruling out any similar investigation to determine all the facts.