A top U.S. nuclear weapons official has been placed on administrative leave after undercover footage allegedly showed him revealing sensitive national security details to a stranger in a public setting. Andrew Hugg, identified as the US Army’s Chief of Chemical Nuclear Surety, was reportedly escorted out of the Pentagon in recent days after the video was released by James O’Keefe’s media group.
The video, which has been posted online, includes claims about US nerve agents, child casualties in Iran, and potential targeting of Iran’s leadership. The U.S. Army confirmed an investigation is underway after the footage was made public.
Hugg is seen discussing topics such as the US retaining nerve agents, the death of an Army chemist from exposure, and civilian casualties from US airstrikes in Iran. He also allegedly commented on nuclear launch decision processes and suggested potential targeting of Iran’s next Supreme Leader. Informal personal remarks to the undercover journalist were also captured, raising concerns about operational security.
After the footage was released, the US Army confirmed that Hugg has been placed on administrative leave and that an investigation is in progress. Army spokesperson Cynthia O. Smith issued a statement to O’Keefe confirming the inquiry.
The Army’s action followed the publication of the undercover video, which drew immediate attention to the allegations.
Hugg is identified as a senior official overseeing nuclear and chemical safety for the US Army, with expertise in nuclear operations.
His LinkedIn profile, now deleted, indicated a career with the Department of the Army and a range of technical skills. The removal of his online presence following the video’s release has added to public scrutiny of his role and the alleged breach.
WATCH:
Earlier this month, two Chinese nationals were charged with acting as agents of the People’s Republic of China’s government, accused of gathering intelligence on U.S. Navy personnel and bases while recruiting other U.S. military members to work for China’s primary foreign intelligence agency, the Ministry of State Security.
The Department of Justice announced that Yuance Chen, a resident of Happy Valley, Oregon, and Liren Lai, who entered Houston on a tourist visa in April 2025, were arrested. Both face charges related to conducting covert intelligence operations in the U.S. on behalf of the MSS.
In addition to recruiting potential MSS assets and collecting sensitive information on service members and military installations, the two men are also accused of facilitating a “dead drop” cash payment on behalf of the MSS.
The FBI arrested Chen in Happy Valley and Lai in Houston, with assistance from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
“Today’s arrests reflect the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting our national security and safeguarding the integrity of our military,” FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News.
“The individuals charged were acting on behalf of a hostile foreign intelligence service — part of the Chinese Communist Party’s broader effort to infiltrate and undermine our institutions,” he continued.
“Thanks to outstanding coordination with our partners, including NCIS, we disrupted those efforts and sent a clear message: the United States will not tolerate espionage on American soil. Our counterintelligence operations remain focused, vigilant, and relentless,” he added.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of California, the DOJ stated that the government of the People’s Republic of China conducts intelligence operations against the U.S. through various channels, including the MSS, which handles intelligence gathering on civilians as well as foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, and political security.