The White House has publicly supported Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid reports that he shared sensitive military details in a Signal messaging chat with his wife and brother. While neither the White House nor Hegseth denied these actions, they have attributed the leak to disgruntled employees and the media, asserting that no classified information was disclosed.
The Trump administration, led by President Donald Trump, is standing firm in its support of Hegseth, who is credited with leading significant changes at the Pentagon. This stance comes in response to Democratic calls for Hegseth’s dismissal as the Pentagon grapples with internal turmoil. Recently, four senior aides departed during an investigation into information leaks.
The latest controversy surrounding Hegseth adds to scrutiny over his decisions, especially following previous revelations about his involvement in a Signal chat with top Trump administration officials discussing military operations. The administration has attempted to frame the situation as a political maneuver by dissatisfied former employees.
Reports indicate that Hegseth’s recent communications via Signal included a group chat named “Defense Team Huddle,” involving 13 participants, including his wife and brother. The White House became aware of this chat following media reports. Hegseth, attending a public event, criticized the media for exacerbating the situation, maintaining that the allegations stem from anonymous sources with ulterior motives.
Support for Hegseth has been echoed by figures such as Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who has denounced the leaks as attempts to undermine the administration’s agenda. The use of Signal, a commercially available messaging app, by senior officials to discuss sensitive matters has been contentious, as it is not authorized for such communications.
Despite assurances from officials that the shared information was not classified, leaked content from a previous Signal chat indicated otherwise, naming weapons systems and operational timelines. This has fueled criticism and demands for Hegseth’s dismissal from figures such as Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.
Further scrutiny surrounds another Signal chat involving Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer, a former Fox News producer, and his brother Phil Hegseth, who serves as a Department of Homeland Security liaison. The Defense Department’s acting inspector general is investigating these matters at the behest of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Beyond the Signal issue, the Pentagon faces challenges related to content management and internal disruptions. Several officials, including Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick, have left the Pentagon amid these investigations. Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot also resigned recently, though his departure was reportedly unrelated to the leaks.
