CIA director calls out Democrat for questioning Hegseth's drinking before leaks

In a recent hearing of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, held in the United States, CIA Director John Ratcliffe vocally opposed a question posed by Democratic Congressman Jimmy Gomez. The inquiry pertained to whether Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had been drinking prior to leaking classified information during a communication on Signal. Ratcliffe emphasized that the nature of the question was offensive and detracted from more pressing issues concerning national security that should be the focus of Congress. This confrontation occurred within a broader context of discussions about the intelligence community's effectiveness and the ongoing scrutiny of Hegseth's past drinking habits, which had raised concerns during his confirmation process. Gomez had questioned the potential impact of Hegseth’s alleged drinking on his role in a security breach, which intensified the tensions within the hearing, showcasing a rift between party priorities in intelligence matters. Ratcliffe lamented that Democrats have been focused on personal matters rather than critical threats posed by foreign adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran. Despite this, issues surrounding military leaks and accountability were inadvertently brought to light. Following this altercation, Ratcliffe continued to assert that Hegseth did not transmit any classified information in the discussed texts, pushing back against allegations made against him. Meanwhile, other Congress members expressed their concerns over the implications of the leaks and the standards of conduct expected from their officials, illustrating the complicated interplay between political accountability and national security responsibilities.