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Pentagon Claims Hegseth’s Afghanistan Withdrawal Probe Found ‘Hidden’ Files

Sean Parnell said the review has covered 9 million documents as officials withhold the records’ contents.

  • On Wednesday, the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel claimed to have recovered "hidden" classified documents related to the 2021 military operation from safes where they were deliberately stashed.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tasked Parnell in May 2025 with investigating the withdrawal under President Joe Biden, aiming to be more comprehensive than a previous Republican-led probe.
  • Parnell reported his team has reviewed 9 million documents during the ongoing investigation, stating the recovered materials were "highly relevant, classified documents" that "should have been disclosed."
  • Hours before Hegseth recognized Marines with upgraded valor awards for the Abbey Gate attack in Kabul, Parnell noted the service members were previously denied recognition because the record "did not fully reflect" their actions.
  • The Pentagon has not commented on the documents' contents or whether they will be released; while Republicans use the findings to criticize Democrats, some observers question if this is political theater.
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Politico broke the news in Arlington County, United States on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
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