Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), criticized the Pentagon Tuesday morning for setting up "roadblocks" and not sharing information on key issues, reports say.
“Members and staff of this committee have struggled to receive information from the policy office. And have not been able to consult in a meaningful way with either the shop on national defense strategy or the global posture review. This does not match our experience with the first Trump administration," Wicker said, according to Punchbowl News senior congressional reporter Andrew Desiderio.
Wicker also said he "[has] noticed an unsettling trend this year. At times, Pentagon officials have pursued policies that are not in accord with President Trump’s orders or seem uncoordinated within the administration."
Punchbowl journalist Zach Bradshaw reports "Wcker just admitted the committee has 'struggled to receive information' from the Pentagon since it created restrictive media policies [and that] the situation needs to improve if we are to craft the best defense policy.”
Wicker's comments come after his SASC colleague, ranking member Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), called out the Pentagon for not sharing information on the Trump administration's strikes on alleged Latin American drug boats.
Both Wicker and Reed sent letters to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth asking for copies of “executive orders” on the attacks within 15 days — as required by law — but Hegseth ignored them.
Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), also on the SASC, told Bradshaw he "'can’t even get a response' from Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby when discussing key issues — 'The worst in the administration' at responding."