Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did not inform the White House before he authorized a pause on weapons shipments to Ukraine last week, according to five sources familiar with the matter, setting off a scramble inside the administration to understand why the halt was implemented and explain it to Congress and the Ukrainian government.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly authorized a pause on weapons shipments to Ukraine without informing the White House.

Pentagon officials denied the narrative perpetuated by President Donald Trump that there was a lack of communication between the department and the White House regarding the temporary suspension of military aid to Ukraine.