Rumsfeld Denies Role in Tillman Cover-Up

Donald Rumsfeld took no responsibility today for the bungled handling of the reporting and investigation of Pat Tillman’s death, saying he always stressed honesty at the Pentagon. Before a House committee, the ex-defense secretary denied allegations he was involved in the military plot to claim the ex-NFL star was killed by enemy fighters rather than friendly fire.

As Tillman’s family watched from the last row behind him, Rumsfeld said he felt “heartbreak” for them, the New York Times reports. He testified that as Pentagon chief, he wrote a memo warning employees not to do anything that could damage its credibility. Oversight committee chairman Henry Waxman alleges the cover-up involved Pentagon higher-ups and possibly the White House. (More Donald Rumsfeld stories.)