Jack Teixeira, the former Massachusetts Air National Guardsman convicted of leaking classified national security documents, has been handed a dishonorable discharge by a military judge after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice. The sentencing, which took place at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, marks the conclusion of court-martial proceedings against him.
Teixeira, 23, had already been serving a 15-year federal prison sentence for unauthorized disclosure of classified materials. His plea deal ensured no additional prison time, but it cemented his formal expulsion from the military. The charges stemmed from one of the most significant intelligence leaks in recent years, which exposed sensitive information related to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
During the proceedings, Teixeira defended his actions as a moral duty, claiming he sought to reveal what he described as government “lies” about the conflict. He also accused the Biden administration of using the Justice Department as a political weapon and urged former President Donald Trump to overturn his conviction if re-elected.
Prosecutors detailed how Teixeira, while serving at Otis Air National Guard Base, accessed and shared classified intelligence with a group on the messaging platform Discord. After authorities began investigating the leaks, he attempted to cover his tracks by destroying electronic devices and instructing others to delete messages.
The military charges came after Teixeira had already pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawfully retaining and transmitting defense information. His 15-year sentence, issued in November, remains in place.
