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U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has come under scrutiny following revelations about his communication practices concerning sensitive security information. Reports indicate that Hegseth shared details regarding a March attack on Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis in a Signal messaging group that included not only his wife and brother but also his personal lawyer, raising concerns about the appropriateness of such disclosures.
This newfound information, disclosed to Reuters, highlights a pattern of Hegseth’s use of an unclassified messaging platform to discuss classified military operations. The timing of these revelations is particularly precarious for Hegseth as the Pentagon recently underwent significant personnel changes due to an ongoing internal leak investigation.
In a separate incident previously reported by The Atlantic, details shared by Hegseth in a different Signal chat were publicly exposed after the magazine’s editor-in-chief was inadvertently added to it. This misstep involved high-ranking officials from U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security team, emphasizing the potential risks associated with informal communication channels for sensitive topics.
A source familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that the second chat group was established primarily to discuss administrative matters during Hegseth’s confirmation process, rather than focusing on military strategies. Still, it reportedly included significant information about the timing of airstrikes.
Interestingly, Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer, has been present at various sensitive meetings with foreign military leaders, as evidenced by publicly available images shared by the Pentagon.
WATCH | White House denies handling of classified information post-The Atlantic report:
White House addresses Signal chat controversy after The Atlantic publication
The White House maintains assertions that no classified information was disclosed following The Atlantic’s publication of the chat, which portrayed U.S. officials discussing airstrike plans in Yemen. During a March meeting, Hegseth was seen alongside his wife as he engaged with his British counterpart at the Pentagon.
Compounding the situation, Hegseth’s brother serves as a liaison to the Pentagon for the Department of Homeland Security, deepening the scrutiny on familial ties in sensitive government operations.
Internal frustrations with leaks have spurred a vigorous response from the Trump administration, with Hegseth being a staunch proponent of combating information leaks at the Pentagon. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell expressed concern over what he deemed media exploitation of disgruntled past employees, criticizing the portrayal of Hegseth and other administration officials.
“The Trump-hating media continues to be obsessed with destroying anyone committed to President Trump’s agenda…,” Parnell stated in a commentary on social media platform X.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that individuals recently relieved from their positions were misrepresenting facts to protect their reputations while undermining the administration’s objectives.
Challenges Ahead for Hegseth
The controversy has sparked calls from Democratic lawmakers for Hegseth’s removal from his position. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer remarked that ongoing revelations about Hegseth’s actions have put lives in jeopardy, insisting that the Secretary should be dismissed for his conduct.
Iraq war veteran Senator Tammy Duckworth echoed this sentiment, urging Hegseth to “resign in disgrace” given the circumstances surrounding his communications.
A Pentagon official expressed disbelief over how Hegseth could maintain his role following the recent disclosures. These developments arrive just days after the dismissal of Dan Caldwell, a significant adviser to Hegseth, who was escorted from the Pentagon in connection with the leaks investigation.
Though Caldwell may not be as publicly recognized as other top Pentagon officials, he was instrumental in Hegseth’s operations and was identified prominently in the earlier Signal chat. Caldwell took to social media to share his disappointment regarding his exit, alleging that unnamed officials at the Pentagon had tarnished his reputation with unfounded accusations.
In the wake of Caldwell’s departure, further personnel changes ensued, with two additional officials—Darin Selnick and Colin Carroll—placed on administrative leave and subsequently let go, signaling possible ongoing shifts within the Pentagon’s leadership amidst the leak inquiries.
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