President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation to identify the source of leaks regarding the U.S. ammunition shortage, according to reports from CNN and The Wall Street Journal. The reports indicate Trump was aware of the crisis prior to the war and the inventory levels throughout, but was furious that the information was disclosed at a turning point in the war while he seeks to project strength toward Iran.
President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation to identify the source of leaks regarding the U.S. ammunition shortage, according to reports from CNN and The Wall Street Journal circulated early Friday morning. The reports indicate Trump was aware of the crisis before the war and of inventory levels throughout, but was furious that the information was disclosed at a turning point while he seeks to project strength toward Iran. This marks a formal escalation from his earlier threats to hunt down 'traitorous' leakers.
The thread shows a rapid escalation on Thursday. At 07:46 Jerusalem, Trump first vowed to hunt leakers and seek long prison sentences. He then claimed a 'vast stockpile' of ammunition and that defense production was expanding. By midday, CNN reported that Trump had directed the Justice Department to find the leakers, with the White House believing the leaks came from anti-war elements. Later Thursday evening, at 21:08 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that CNN disclosed Trump was aware of the shortage all along, contradicting suggestions he was misled, but was furious at the leaks. The new reports now add that he has ordered a formal investigation.
The ammunition shortage has been a recurring theme. As The Zioneer reported on Thu Aug 6, 03:47 Jerusalem, the Washington Post detailed that Trump was furious at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the shortage, claiming he was misled. Earlier reports also indicated Trump's frustration with the Iran war and his desire to project strength. The White House has previously denied reports of Trump's outbursts.
The reports do not identify specific suspects or the scope of the investigation. The administration has not commented on the new reports. The extent of the ammunition shortage and its impact on military operations also remain unclear.
7 developments
- DevelopingTrump warns leakers of munitions shortage reports could face long prison sentences
- DevelopingTrump invokes Defense Production Act citing 'systemic limits' on ammunition manufacturing
- StrongWhite House report: Trump weighs immediate order for large-scale attack on Iran, including energy infrastructure
- DevelopingTrump reportedly confronted Hegseth over missile shortages, forcing US to ration defenses against Iran
Source and signal
- Open-source intake