Disclosure of Failed Attempt to Rescue James Foley Is Criticized

In consultation with the Pentagon, the White House decided Wednesday night to outline the failed mission to rescue American journalist James Foley and other Americans. The administration took the step after being asked about the operation by reporters.

Revelations about the rescue attempt came 24 hours after the Islamic State posted an online propaganda video showing Mr. Foley's beheading and threatening to kill more Americans unless the U.S. stopped its airstrikes against its fighters in Iraq.

On Thursday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and other administration officials said they had to reveal details of the operation because various news organizations were preparing to report on the mission. Mr. Hagel said the Pentagon didn't think releasing the information would seriously compromise future operations.

"There's always a risk," Mr. Hagel said in defending the decision. "There continues to be risk in every action or inaction we take."

In various cases involving national security, the Obama administration, like others before it, has asked media outlets not to reveal sensitive details. In some cases, news organizations will agree not to reveal them.

In this instance, though, administration officials said they didn't think they could prevent news organizations from reporting on the rescue mission.

"We had no intention of ever making this public, period—I want to be very clear about that—for the operational security both of the special operators and also of the remaining hostages," said Marie Harf, a State Department spokesperson. "It became clear to us when a number of news outlets…came to the U.S. government recently with very detailed information that had been provided to them. I have no idea who provided it. We were forced at that point to acknowledge it, given they were—many of these outlets, if not all of them, were going to run stories one way or the other."

Rep. Buck McKeon (R., Calif.) questioned that rationale and called Thursday for an investigation to track down the people who first disclosed the information to reporters.

"Disclosure of these missions puts our troops at risk, reduces the likelihood that future missions will succeed, and risks the lives of hostages and informants alike," he said in a statement.

Other critics suggested the administration leaked the news to rebut criticism that it hadn't been aggressive enough in seeking freedom for Americans held hostage.

This isn't the first time the U.S. government has released information on a secret military mission. In October, the Pentagon revealed that Navy SEALs had carried out an unsuccessful mission to capture Islamic militants in Somalia.