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WASHINGTON DC, US - APRIL 13: The Pentagon sounded off on Thursday over the unauthorized disclosure of a trove of classified Pentagon intelligence documents, saying unequivocally that it is a "deliberate criminal act." "It is important to understand that we do have stringent guidelines in place for safeguarding classified and sensitive information. This was a deliberate criminal act," Defense Department spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters. Ryder acknowledged that in wake of the unauthorized disclosures, which have sent the US into damage control mode with its close international allies and partners, the Pentagon has tightened the number of people allowed to access classified materials. "We continue to review those distribution lists, update them, make sure there's a need to know," he said. "Each of us signs a nondisclosure agreement, anybody that has as a security clearance. And so all indications are again, this is a criminal act, a willful violation of those and again, another reason why we're continuing to investigate and support DOJ's investigation," he added. The comments came after 21-year-old Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira was taken into custody in Massachusetts by federal agents in connection with the ongoing investigation. Ryder declined to comment on the report. Garland minutes later made his announcement, officially acknowledging the arrest. (Footage by Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)