WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House expressed its support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, following media reports that he shared sensitive military information through a Signal messaging chat with his wife and brother. The White House and Hegseth did not deny these claims but attributed them to what they called disgruntled employees and the media, insisting that no classified information was disclosed.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The president stands strongly behind Secretary Hegseth, who is doing a phenomenal job leading the Pentagon.” She added that the situation reflects an internal struggle within the Pentagon against Hegseth’s efforts to implement significant changes. The Trump administration's posture seems aimed at resisting calls from Democrats for Hegseth’s dismissal amid rising turmoil within the Pentagon. Recently, four senior aides left as part of an internal investigation aimed at addressing leaks of sensitive information.
The revelations about Hegseth came on the heels of last month’s disclosure regarding his involvement in a previous Signal chat with top Trump administration officials, where military strike details against Yemen's Houthi militants were shared. The political atmosphere surrounding Hegseth intensified, as the administration sought to redirect focus from the national security implications of these chats to framing it as a political conflict against former employees who they claim are undermining Hegseth's authority.
According to The New York Times, the second Signal chat involved Hegseth, his wife Jennifer—a former Fox News producer—and his brother Phil, who is a liaison at the Pentagon. This chat, termed “Defense ‘Team Huddle’,” reportedly included operational details similar to those discussed in the previous chat with administration officials, including timing for military operations. Anonymous sources familiar with the matter confirmed the chat to the Associated Press.
When confronted about the revelations at a public event, Hegseth did not address the allegations directly but criticized the media for allegedly using anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees to damage reputations. Hegseth insisted, “Not going to work with me. Because we’re changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of warfighters.” Republican Senator Tom Cotton echoed this sentiment, labeling the leakers as detrimental to Hegseth's efforts in implementing the Trump administration’s agenda.
The administration’s explanations concerning officials' use of Signal—a commercially available app not authorized for communicating sensitive information—have faced scrutiny. Previous communications shared in the initial chat have raised concerns about their classified nature, given they include military operational details that, if disclosed, could endanger personnel involved.
The administration has been pressed due to a lack of repercussions for those participating in the earlier Signal discussions regarding strike plans. Senators, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, have called for Hegseth’s resignation, citing the risks posed by the leaks. The second chat reportedly included the same launch times for warplanes as mentioned in the first chat, prompting former officials to assert that sharing such details would likely be deemed classified.
Ongoing investigations into Hegseth’s Signal use have been launched by the Defense Department’s acting inspector general, requested by the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senior Democratic member Jack Reed has urged the inspector to include the second chat in the scope of the investigation.
Moreover, the Pentagon's instability extends beyond the Signal incidents. There has been criticism regarding a campaign to purge content related to diversity and representation, with officials scrambling to rectify the removals of content that promoted women and minorities. Meanwhile, last week saw four officials linked closely with Hegseth departing as the Pentagon continues to investigate leaks. This broader turmoil within the Pentagon signifies a complex environment as it navigates internal conflicts alongside external scrutiny.
