Austin Vows to ‘Investigate and Turn Over Every Rock’ to Find Source of Intel Leak

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin promised on April 11 to leave no stone unturned in the search for the perpetrator behind the leak of Pentagon documents.

During a press briefing at the State Department, following a meeting with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, Philippines Officer in Charge of the Department of National Defense Carlito Galvez, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Austin stated, “We take this very seriously and we will continue to investigate and turn over every rock until we find the source of this and the extent of it.”

“While the Justice Department’s investigation is ongoing, I can’t say much more. However, we take this matter seriously,” Austin added. “Nothing will ever stop us from protecting America, and we will continue to work closely with our allies and partners.”

On April 6, Austin was briefed on the leaked documents, which were dated February 28 and March 1. He said that he has been assembling senior department executives every day ever since, directing “an urgent cross-department effort,” and handing the issue over to the Department of Justice.

The leaked documents were said to be concerning US intelligence and data on Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and South Korea. This involved information about the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Austin stated that Pentagon investigators would continue to search for evidence and establish the full extent of the leak.

The Pentagon has