Army Secretary John McHugh Misspoke, Gays and Still Be Kicked Out

Army Secretary John McHugh says he misspoke earlier this week when he told reporters he would effectively begin ignoring "don't ask, don't tell," saying soldiers can still be kicked out of the military for acknowledging they are gay.

"Until Congress repeals 'don't ask, don't tell,' it remains the law of the land and the Department of the Army and I will fulfill our obligation to uphold it," McHugh said in a statement Thursday. "There is no moratorium of the law and neither (Gates) nor I would support one."

Earlier this week, McHugh told reporters it would be "counterproductive to take disciplinary action against someone who spoke with me openly and honestly."

McHugh also discussed three soldiers who told him that they are gay, saying he probably should have told them that they were violating the law and their conversation couldn't necessarily be kept confidential. He said he won't pursue administrative action against those individuals.

"Because of the informal and random manner in which these engagements occurred, I am unable to identify these soldiers and I am not in a position to formally pursue the matter."