Suspected Pentagon document leaker identified

The arrest of Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, has sent shockwaves through the United States. Authorities claim that Teixeira is responsible for leaking secret documents that have put the country's national security at risk.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed Teixeira's arrest in a brief appearance before the media. According to Garland, the arrest was made "in connection with an investigation into the alleged unauthorized taking, retention, and transmission of classified national defense information." The U.S. government has been assessing the national security and diplomatic implications of the leak since it was first reported last week. A Pentagon spokesman told reporters days ago that the revelations pose "a very serious risk to national security," prompting the Justice Department to launch an investigation to find those responsible. The leaked documents detail the U.S. assessment of the war in Ukraine and include plans to reinforce the Ukrainian Army for a counteroffensive, as well as data on the status of Russian forces. They also include sensitive material on Canada, China, Israel and South Korea.

Teixeira's arrest was the result of a thorough investigation by the FBI. U.S. television channels showed a large police presence around Teixeira's North Dighton home with helicopters flying overhead. In the images provided by the U.S. media, the detainee, wearing red shorts and with his hands behind his back, can be seen being loaded by heavily armed agents into an unmarked sport utility vehicle in a wooded area of North Dighton. U.S. President Joe Biden, visiting Dublin, said Thursday that the Justice Department was "close" to learning more about the leak of secret Pentagon documents. Teixeira's arrest is an important step in the leak investigation and more details are likely to be known in the coming days.