FBI Arrests Air National Guard Member Linked to Pentagon Leak
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Federal agents arrested 21-year-old Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guard member, in connection with the leak of classified Pentagon materials pertaining to the Ukraine war and foreign intelligence operations.
Key Quote: Speaking to the media, Attorney General Merrick Garland said, “FBI agents took Teixeira into custody earlier this afternoon without incident. He will have an initial appearance at the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.” Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder stated, “We have rules in place. Each of us signs a nondisclosure agreement. This is a criminal act, a willful violation of those.” Earlier Thursday, President Biden told reporters that federal officials were “getting close” to locating the source of the leak.
For Context: Last week, the New York Times reported on a batch of leaked classified documents that had been circulating online for weeks. The documents contained information on Ukrainian forces’ continued military ability and arms and ammunition supplies, as well as information on U.S. surveillance conducted on allied countries such as Israel and South Korea. The documents were reportedly first shared in a private server on the chat platform Discord before appearing on other websites. On Wednesday, the Washington Post (Lean Left Bias) published a report interviewing a member of the private Discord server who is friends with the leaker.
How The Media Covered It: The arrest is the top story on outlets across the spectrum as more details come to light regarding the identity and motivations of the leaker.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Center
Suspect in documents leak taken into custody![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
A Massachusetts Air National Guard member who has emerged as a main person of interest in the disclosure of highly classified military documents on the Ukraine war was taken into custody Thursday “without incident” by federal agents, according to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Investigators believe that the guardsman, who specializes in intelligence, led the online chat group where the documents were posted. The guardsman was identified as 21-year-old Jack Teixeira.
FBI agents converged Thursday at Teixeira’s Massachusetts home and heavily armed tactical agents took a man wearing a T-shirt...
From the Right
FBI arrest Jack Teixeira, Air National Guardsman linked to Pentagon classified documents leak![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-right.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/arrest.jpg?itok=SfIZk6RP)
The FBI has arrested 21-year-old Jack Teixeira, an Air National Guardsman officials suspect is involved in the leak of hundreds of classified documents from the Pentagon.
Attorney General Merrick Garland identified Teixeira on Thursday and confirmed the FBI arrested him in Massachusetts for his connection to "alleged unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified national defense information."
"FBI agents took Teixeira into custody earlier this afternoon without incident," Garland said. "He will have an initial appearance at the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts."
The Pentagon declined to...
From the Left
AG: Guardsman to be charged with removing classified info![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-left.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/fbi_1.jpg?itok=4GvcLGQB)
A Massachusetts Air National Guard member who has emerged as a main person of interest in the disclosure of highly classified military documents on the Ukraine war was taken into custody Thursday by federal agents, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced.
Investigators believe that the guardsman, who specializes in intelligence, led the online chat group where the documents were posted. Garland identified the guardsman as 21-year-old Jack Teixeira, and said he would be charged with the unauthorized removal of classified national defense information.
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