Inside Hegseth's push to showcase a dramatic Iran rescue on '60 Minutes' | CNN Politics

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and political appointees in his department pushed for two F-15 crew members shot down over Iran in April to appear in Sunday’s highly publicized “60 Minutes” report on the ensuing rescue operation, according to multiple sources cited by CNN. The airmen initially had reservations, with one concerned he could be ordered to participate. Military officials also worried about revealing classified details. After Hegseth met privately with the survivors, pilot “Bravo” agreed to an on-camera interview, while pilot “Alpha” declined. A Pentagon spokesman, Sean Parnell, disputed CNN’s account, saying each pilot decided independently.