Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld made a cameo appearance on Capitol Hill Wednesday to testify about what he knew, and when, regarding the death of Cpl. Pat Tillman. Facing Reps. Henry Waxman, Dennis Kucinich and others, a fidgety Rumsfeld denied that there was a cover-up, denied that he played any part in mischaracterizing Tillman’s death, and explained the difference between an “error” and a “lie.”

Los Angeles Times:

“Of course there’s a difference between error and coverup,” Rumsfeld told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has held several hearings on the case.

Once the Army began investigating who suppressed details of Tillman’s death, Rumsfeld said, he deliberately asked no questions to avoid exercising undue command influence over the process.

Read more

Additional links:Watch Rumsfeld field questions from the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday:Watch Rep. Dennis Kucinich take Rumsfeld to task:

Click here for The Village Voice’s take on Rumsfeld’s showing.

Read Kevin Tillman’s now-classic piece, “After Pat’s Birthday.”

Check out Robert Scheer’s column about Pat and his mother, Mary Tillman, here.

Read Stan Goff’s report for Truthdig, “Playing the Atheism Card Against Pat Tillman’s Family.”

Click here to read the letter censuring Lt. Gen. Philip R. Kensinger for his conduct after Tillman’s death.

Click here to read AP reporter Martha Mendoza’s interview with Bryan O’Neal, who was a soldier serving in Afghanistan alongside Pat Tillman and was caught in the deadly friendly fire that claimed Pat’s life — and caught in the resulting controversy.

 Rock Solid Journalism

In 2026, amid chaos and the nonstop flurry of headlines, Truthdig remains independent, fact-based and focused on exposing what power tries to hide.

Support Independent Journalism.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG
In this Article:
#dennis kucinich#donald rumsfeld#henry waxman#pat tillman