Tag
The U.S. Secretary of Defense. Incidents involve his directives on military operations, dismantlement of civilian harm mitigation policies, and role in authorizing strikes documented in this archive.
4 incidents
Grade 5 of 5: International Crime (Rome Statute)
The US Defense Secretary's public declaration of 'no quarter, no mercy for our enemies' is assessed as a probable war crime under Rome Statute Article 8(2)(b)(xii), which criminalizes 'declaring that no quarter will be given.' Recognized authorities have applied the law to the statement; no court has ruled. This prohibition is among the oldest in the laws of war.
Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power
The Defense Department used military-discipline machinery against a sitting senator for telling troops to refuse unlawful orders, after the President called the video sedition 'punishable by death'. A federal judge blocked the censure as likely First Amendment retaliation; prosecutors' attempt to indict the lawmakers reportedly failed before a grand jury. The government's appeal was argued on 7 May 2026.
Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power
A federal court permanently struck down the Pentagon's 2025 press-access policy as vague and viewpoint-discriminatory, then found the department had not complied and had instead cut reporters' access further. An appeals court let the escort rule stand pending appeal because the first judgment had not addressed it; the district court then preliminarily enjoined it as likely retaliation.
Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power
Senior US officials including the Vice President, Defense Secretary, and CIA Director used a personal Signal group chat to discuss classified strike plans targeting Houthi forces in Yemen. A journalist was accidentally added. The Defense Secretary shared specific targeting and timing information, which the Pentagon inspector general later found put US personnel and the mission at risk. The incident revealed systemic disregard for classified information handling procedures.