President Donald Trump warned a media outlet on Monday that they would face jail if they reported the second US airman was missing after an American fighter jet was shot down in Iran last week. He made this statement at a White House press conference alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine.
US officials stated that both crew members had been recovered following complex and high-risk operations, with the pilot rescued within hours of the crash. The second airman – known as the “back seater” – was found in early Sunday after a recovery mission by US forces.
Trump said the administration sought to keep details of the second missing airman confidential to prevent his capture or killing. He threatened the media outlet that reported this information with jail, stating they would have to choose between national security and their freedom of speech.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on which organization first reported the second missing airman.
CIA director John Ratcliffe confirmed that a deception effort was run by the US foreign intelligence service to misdirect Iranian authorities searching for the crew of the downed fighter plane.