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Thiessen Urges Prosecution of Pentagon Leak, Calls Leaker Traitor

9/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Washington Post columnist Marc Thiessen called the leaker of defense information a traitor and urged prosecution.
The leak came from the August 14 Secretary of Defense Orders Book warning Iran operations could weaken U.S. readiness.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s team labeled publishing the assessment a crime and betrayal.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called the Washington Post report on the leak criminal and inaccurate.
Washington Post reporter Dan Lamothe said independent journalism is not a crime.

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Story summary

Washington Post columnist Marc Thiessen called the leaker of defense information a traitor and urged prosecution.
The leak came from the August 14 Secretary of Defense Orders Book warning Iran operations could weaken U.S. readiness.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s team labeled publishing the assessment a crime and betrayal.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called the Washington Post report on the leak criminal and inaccurate.
Washington Post reporter Dan Lamothe said independent journalism is not a crime.