On Thursday, the FBI arrested Jack Teixeira, a U.S. Air Force National Guard employee, in relation to the online leaks of classified U.S. documents that caused embarrassment for Washington and its global allies. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that Teixeira was apprehended "in connection with an investigation into alleged unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified national defense information."
The FBI confirmed the arrest and disclosed that agents were carrying out "authorized law enforcement activity at a residence in North Dighton, Massachusetts." News channels aired video footage of heavily armed officers in Massachusetts escorting a young man in a gray t-shirt and bright red shorts to a waiting car. The man had his head bowed and sported close-cropped hair.
The Pentagon labeled the leaks a "deliberate, criminal act." Brigadier General Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, directed questions regarding the investigation to the Department of Justice. Among the most sensitive leaked information are details allegedly pertaining to Ukraine's military strengths and weaknesses, as well as data about U.S. allies, including Israel, South Korea, and Turkey.
President Joe Biden stated earlier on Thursday that investigators were closing in on the source of the online leaks, believed to be the most severe security breach in recent years.
The New York Times previously reported that Teixeira was a National Guardsman who led an online group called Thug Shaker Central. The group, consisting of approximately 20 to 30 individuals, shared interests in firearms, racist memes, and video games, according to interviews and documents reviewed by the Times.
