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Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman, was arrested Thursday in connection with a leak of classified documents about the war in Ukraine and other subjects, and is set to appear in court Friday.
Here are some questions and answers about what has happened and what is expected to come next.
What documents were leaked and when were they disclosed?
More than 100 U.S. documents were leaked, according to a USA Today report. They include details about the strength of Ukrainian forces, data on military activities like U.S. drone spy planes in the area and other subjects.
The Wall Street Journal cited security analysts as saying the most damaging files appear to be intelligence material that potentially includes information on conversations the U.S. had intercepted within allied governments, such as communications of Israel’s intelligence service. An anonymous member of a group began to post files on the messaging platform Discord in January, according to the Journal’s report.
Officials say the documents are real, for the most part, wrote the New York Times. Some were doctored, but the revisions appear to have been made after the material was uploaded online.
Who is Jack Teixeira and what charges is he facing?
Teixeira, 21, is reportedly a member of the 102nd Intelligence Wing based in Cape Cod, Mass. USA Today said he is the leader of an online chat group who has shared an interest in guns and racist memes. Per the report, his job title is cyber transport systems journeyman.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thursday that Teixeira was arrested in connection with the “unauthorized removal, retention and transmission of classified national defense information.” A New York Times report said Garland’s description indicates Teixeira will be facing charges under the Espionage Act. A conviction under the act carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison per count.
What comes next for Teixeira?
He is expected to appear in court Friday in Boston. A time hasn’t been announced.
What has President Joe Biden said about the matter?
Biden, who is traveling in Ireland, said Thursday that he was “not concerned” about the disclosures.
“I’m concerned that it happened but there is nothing contemporaneous that I’m aware of that is of great consequence,” the president said.
Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder called the leak of classified information a “deliberate, criminal act.”
Read more: 21-year-old Guardsman arrested in leak of classified military documents
