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Topline
Recent reports indicate that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly disclosed sensitive military details regarding airstrikes in Yemen to a group chat on Signal that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. This incident is part of a growing series of controversies and high-profile staff dismissals that have recently affected the Pentagon.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a reenlistment ceremony for Congressional Medal … More of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer at the Pentagon.
Key Facts
According to a report by the New York Times, which cited four anonymous sources, the Signal chat included detailed flight schedules for the jets involved in the strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. This is reportedly similar to information shared in another Signal chat previously disclosed that involved several senior officials from the Trump administration, which erroneously included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg.
The group chat, established in January prior to Hegseth’s confirmation as Defense Secretary, has raised concerns about the management and leaks within the Department of Defense.
Adding to the chaos, a recent op-ed in Politico by former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot characterized the situation as a significant breakdown within the military leadership. Ullyot, expressing support for Hegseth, suggested that the Secretary’s position may be increasingly untenable.
What Have Pentagon Officials Said About The Signal Chat Report?
Sean Parnell, the new top spokesperson for the Pentagon, criticized the New York Times report for relying on grievances from former employees. In a social media post, Parnell accused the newspaper of rendering opinions based on sources with motives to undermine both the Secretary and the administration’s objectives. He firmly stated that no classified details had been shared in any Signal chats, regardless of how the narrative has been framed.
What Else Did Ullyot Say In His Opinion Piece?
In his op-ed, Ullyot discussed the recent firings of three senior Pentagon officials: Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll. He claimed that Hegseth’s team attempted to discredit these individuals by suggesting their dismissals were linked to leaks of sensitive information. Ullyot refuted this, asserting that at least one of those fired was informed he would be cleared of any allegations of wrongdoing. He accused Hegseth’s team of frequently disseminating misinformation about colleagues in their departures.
What Have The Fired Pentagon Officials Said So Far?
In a joint statement released on social media, Caldwell, Carroll, and Selnick expressed their discontent with the circumstances surrounding their separations, claiming they were subjected to unfounded allegations that tarnished their reputations. They highlighted that they had not been informed about the nature of any ongoing investigations or whether any legitimate inquiries had been conducted regarding leaks. Despite their terminations, they expressed continued support for the current administration’s mission towards reforming the Pentagon and promoting peace through strength.
Further Reading
Hegseth Said to Have Shared Attack Details in Second Signal Chat (New York Times)
Former Top Pentagon Spokesperson Details ‘Month From Hell’ Inside the Agency (Politico)
Top Hegseth Advisor Placed On Leave Related To Alleged Leak: What We Know (Forbes)
Source
www.forbes.com