Hegseth, national security leaders to brief 'Gang of 8' lawmakers: Sources

[ad_1] Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Employees, are scheduled to temporary high lawmakers generally known as the “Gang of Eight” behind closed doorways on Tuesday, three officers advised ABC Information.

Individually, Sen. Roger Wicker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Companies Committee, advised reporters that he expects to talk this week with Adm. Alvin Holsey, who unexpectedly introduced this fall he was stepping down as head of U.S Southern Command after lower than a yr on the job. It was not instantly clear how Holsey would meet with the lawmakers, and if it might be in particular person or digital.

Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump speaks throughout a cupboard assembly on the White Home, Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington.

Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

The Gang of Eight briefing by President Donald Trump’s nationwide safety crew follows the completion of the administration’s nationwide safety technique, a planning doc that spells out America’s long-term imaginative and prescient for shielding the nation. However lawmakers additionally have been anticipated to lift questions concerning the legality of army strikes within the Caribbean and, specifically, the killing of two survivors from a deadly assault on Sept. 2.

Holsey’s upcoming dialogue with lawmakers is a sign that some lawmakers are quietly pursuing their very own probe into the boat strikes and Hegseth’s orders to the uniformed army.

Sources stated that earlier than Holsey introduced his retirement, he had expressed issues to Hegseth’s crew about army operations within the Latin America area, though it was not clear whether or not he had reservations concerning the legality of the marketing campaign. Hegseth has insisted that the strikes are authorized, together with those who killed the 2 survivors final September.

Final week, a Pentagon official advised ABC Information that he was “requested to retire on good phrases.” Holsey’s final day in uniform is Friday. He served 37 years in uniform.

The Gang of Eight refers back to the chairs and rating members of the Home and Senate intelligence committees, together with Home and Senate minority and majority leaders, together with Home Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Chief John Thune.