The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the apparent leak of “sensitive and highly classified” U.S. intelligence, the Department of Defense announced on Sunday.
A trove of Pentagon documents leaked online in recent days regarding foreign policy and national security concerns and objectives from Ukraine and Russia to China to Israel. While not outright confirming the documents’ authenticity, the Pentagon on Sunday appeared to suggest they are real.
LEAKED DOCUMENTS REPORTEDLY SHOW RUSSIA ALMOST SHOT DOWN UK’S PLANE NEAR CRIMEA
“The Department of Defense continues to review and assess the validity of the photographed documents that are circulating on social media sites and that appear to contain sensitive and highly classified material. An interagency effort has been stood up, focused on assessing the impact these photographed documents could have on U.S. national security and on our Allies and partners,” Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told the Washington Examiner.
“Over the weekend, U.S. officials have engaged with Allies and partners and have informed relevant congressional committees of jurisdiction about the disclosure. The Department of Defense’s highest priority is the defense of our nation and our national security. We have referred this matter to the Department of Justice, which has opened a criminal investigation,” Singh added.
The believed intelligence that was leaked is not something the Pentagon and White House are likely to be able to shove out of the spotlight. Included in the released material are reports that: a Russian fighter jet nearly shot down a British aircraft last year, which could have launched the U.S. into a direct war with Russia; the U.S. has penetrated Russian security and intelligence, allowing officials to warn Ukraine of coming attacks; and the U.S. has apparently spied on allies including Israel, South Korea, and Ukraine, per the New York Times.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Its rivals in Russia and China aside, the leaking of documents, should they be confirmed to be authentic, places the U.S. in a difficult security situation at home and diplomatically abroad with its allies, such as Israel, as relations between the countries already face friction.
