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. The decision triggered internal confusion and required explanations to Congress and Ukrainian officials.