Why is a member of Congress commenting and not the DOD or the Governor of Montana? Is someone spilling classified information to show off?

Because we're not being told the whole story.

It's worth noting that in the US government hierarchy, the United States Congress is superior to the Department of Defense. Why? Because they (both House and Senate) write the laws stating who and what the DoD is, the House funds the DoD, and the Senate confirms appointments of officers.

Specifically with regards to Matt Rosendale, he is a Representative from Montana. He is in a position where he can demand (and will get, within reason) information from the US military and represent Montana in demanding and publicizing said information.

That is not how the chain of command works for the military. The president is the commander in chief, and senators do not report to him.

Ultimately their paramount allegiance is to the Constitution and the people of the United States. This can supercede the chain of command when Commander-in-chief places orders contravened by the People.

Congress performs oversight of the military and sets budgets, so they're briefed on operations like this which have some outsized political impact. It doesn't seem to me like these things should be a big deal but the rest of the people in the US seem to act like it is, so Congress is naturally very interested.

He’s a freshman congressman buddying up with Lauren Boebert and joining the “rebel” GOP faction that was opposing the speaker.

It’s all about making noise to stay alive - how often do you hear from congressmen from Montana?

Petty politics doesn't belong on HN. Please take this to reddit.

I agree with peepeepoopoo

Then a highly political story of shooting down balloons or whatever shouldn’t be front and center.