The way the excerpts read, this was a discussion during.
Thing is, if they spill the beans that this was a deliberate act of misinformation - they won't fall for it twice.
I am sure, thanks to our brilliant Democrats - the press makes it abundantly easier to believe they're all a bunch of nitwits who don't know what they're doing. I think they knew EXACTLY what they were doing - and are totally willing to take a whipping in the media over it - because the press is actually the stupid ones.
According to Hegseth, the Houthi attack was a resounding success - minimal deaths while achieving its objective.
I can think of no easier way to get the people out while still getting the buildings and equipment than for them to believe it was leaked to them.