April 22, 2026 | 09:02 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Andrew Hugg, a nuclear US scientist, was reported to have been ousted from the Pentagon on Tuesday. This report emerged after a video surfaced showing him allegedly sharing sensitive information with an undercover female journalist on platform X. As reported by The Hindustan Times, the video was uploaded by James O'Keefe, a conservative activist known for founding Project Veritas and later establishing O'Keefe Media Group.
The viral recording shared on X placed Hugg in an embarrassing situation. He was allegedly leaking sensitive information about the US-Iran conflict to an undercover female journalist. During the conversation, Hugg appeared to be influenced by the journalist's appearance, leading him to allegedly disclose details about military operations and strategy.
"You’re not a spy, right??" Hugg said to the journalist, to which the woman, laughing, replied, "No."
"Your eyes have mesmerized me so much… Almost like you’re an intelligence. The easiest way to get intelligence… send a pretty girl, talk to the guy… I have to resist your eyes."
In the recording, Hugg allegedly acknowledged that the US military's early attacks resulted in the deaths of children in Iran, although he referred to them as unintended casualties.
He also claimed that the US still possesses nerve agents and mentioned that a recent US Army chemical expert died after being exposed to the substance.
When asked if the US would bomb Iran with nuclear weapons, Hugg responded, "We are not going to bomb anyone." However, he stated that the US would not hesitate to eliminate Iran's next leader (Mojtaba Khamenei) if the political direction does not change.
The Pentagon and the US Army have not publicly verified the specific claims made in the recording.
Shortly after the viral recording was released, reports emerged that Hugg was physically escorted out of the Pentagon by security personnel and placed under investigation.
The report added that Hugg has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. HT could not independently verify this report.
The US Army Department is reportedly reviewing the extent of the information Hugg allegedly shared during the recorded conversation with the undercover journalist.
Prior to his suspension, Andrew Hugg served as the Chief of the Nuclear and Chemical Security Branch in the US Army Department, a role overseeing strategies and safety protocols for some of the most sensitive weapons in the US arsenal.
Hugg's career was marked by his expertise in nuclear operations and countering weapons of mass destruction.
His LinkedIn profile, seemingly confirming his role in the US Army Department, has been taken down. This abrupt temporary cessation has left a key position vacant amid increasing global tensions.
As of the publication, no charges have been filed against Hugg.
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