Who He Is
US Secretary of War (rebranded role formerly known as Secretary of Defense) under the Trump administration. Public face of the May 8, 2026 PURSUE UFO files release.
Role in the UFO Disclosure
Spokesperson and signatory for the PURSUE tranche. Most-quoted official across coverage. Appears at the top of every major article on the release alongside DNI Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Kash Patel, and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
Quotes (Verbatim)
- “These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation, and it’s time the American people see it for themselves.”
- The Trump administration’s “earnest commitment to unprecedented transparency.”
Framing Strategy
Casts prior administrations as having “sought to discredit or dissuade the American people.” Positions PURSUE as fulfilling public demand for transparency rather than reacting to political pressure.
Sources
- CBS News coverage
- Fox News coverage
- Stars and Stripes coverage
- Mirror, football-UAP framing
- Washington Times coverage