Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's handling of sensitive military information faces renewed scrutiny amid revelations of multiple unauthorized communication channels.
According to the LA Times, Hegseth established a second Signal messaging group that included his wife and brother, where he shared classified details about a March military strike against Yemen's Houthi militants, mirroring information sent in another chat with Trump administration officials.
The newly discovered chat group, named "Defense Team Huddle," comprised 13 members, including Jennifer Hegseth, the secretary's wife and former Fox News producer, and his brother Phil Hegseth, who serves as a Department of Homeland Security liaison and senior advisor at the Pentagon. Both family members have accompanied the Defense Secretary to high-level meetings and official travels.
White House defense amid growing Pentagon turmoil
The White House has strongly defended Hegseth, dismissing the revelations as fabricated claims from disgruntled former employees. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly emphasized that no classified information was compromised in these communications.
The controversy has triggered significant personnel changes at the Pentagon. Last week, four key officials from Hegseth's inner circle departed, including Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick, who were escorted from the building. Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot also submitted his resignation.
Democratic leaders have intensified their calls for action. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer demanded Hegseth's immediate removal from office, citing the secretary's alleged mishandling of sensitive information.
Congressional oversight and ongoing investigations
The Defense Department's acting inspector general has launched an investigation into Hegseth's use of Signal, following a formal request from the Senate Armed Services Committee leadership.
Senator Jack Reed expressed grave concerns about the situation. He said:
I have grave concerns about Secretary Hegseth's ability to maintain the trust and confidence of U.S. servicemembers and the Commander-in-Chief.
The terminated staff members have contested the circumstances of their departure. In a statement shared by Caldwell, they said:
We still have not been told what exactly we were investigated for, if there is still an active investigation, or if there was even a real investigation of 'leaks' to begin with.
Security concerns shake Pentagon leadership
The unauthorized Signal chats have raised serious questions about operational security. Multiple former and current officials confirmed that sharing operational details before a strike would typically be classified information, potentially endangering military personnel.
The initial Signal group, created by national security advisor Mike Waltz, included various Cabinet members and notably, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of the Atlantic. The contents of this chat were subsequently published by the Atlantic.
The Pentagon and National Security Council have maintained silence regarding the additional chat group, declining to provide immediate comments on the situation.
Latest developments in Defense Department controversy
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces mounting pressure over his creation of unauthorized Signal chat groups containing sensitive military information. The revelation of a second chat group involving his wife and brother has sparked investigations by the Defense Department's acting inspector general and drawn criticism from congressional leaders. As the Pentagon grapples with recent staff departures and ongoing leak investigations, questions persist about the potential compromise of classified information and its implications for military security.
