Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the Signal messaging app to discuss sensitive military operations has sparked renewed scrutiny of his leadership at the Pentagon.
According to Breitbart, media reports revealed Hegseth shared sensitive military details in another Signal chat group that included his wife and brother, even as the White House expressed continued support for the embattled official on Monday.
The latest revelation comes amid growing turmoil at the Defense Department, where multiple senior aides have departed and an internal investigation into information leaks is ongoing. President Donald Trump dismissed the allegations as "fake news" and blamed disgruntled employees, while the White House attempted to frame the controversy as an institutional power struggle rather than a national security concern.
White House rallies behind defense secretary
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Hegseth, suggesting the controversy stemmed from Pentagon staff opposing his reform agenda. The administration's stance aimed to counter Democratic demands for Hegseth's removal, with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer calling for his immediate firing.
Trump told reporters he believed the allegations came from employees unhappy with Hegseth's efforts to remove "bad people" from the Pentagon. The president's comments highlighted the administration's strategy of portraying the controversy as resistance to organizational change rather than addressing security implications.
When confronted about the allegations at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Hegseth attacked the media and dismissed the reports as "anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees." Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, backed Hegseth on social media.
Signal app usage raises security concerns
The newly revealed chat group, named "Defense Team Huddle," included 13 participants, among them Hegseth's wife Jennifer, a former Fox News producer, and his brother Phil, who works as a Pentagon adviser. Sources familiar with the messages indicated the information shared matched details from a previously disclosed Signal chat about Yemen airstrikes.
Military officials have stated that launch times and munitions drop times, which were allegedly shared in both chats, are classified information. The use of Signal, an unauthorized commercial app, for sensitive defense communications has drawn criticism from security experts.
The Defense Department's acting inspector general is investigating Hegseth's Signal use at the request of Senate Armed Services Committee leadership. Democratic Senator Jack Reed has called for the investigation to include the second chat group.
Pentagon leadership exodus intensifies
The Signal controversy coincides with significant personnel changes at the Pentagon. Five officials from Hegseth's inner circle have left their positions, including Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick, who were escorted from the building during the leak investigation.
Chief of staff Joe Kasper's departure and former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot's requested resignation have further destabilized leadership. Additionally, Hegseth's chief spokesman Sean Parnell has been temporarily reassigned within the secretary's office.
The department has also faced criticism over its handling of online content, including controversial removals of posts promoting diversity that were later restored. These issues have contributed to growing questions about the Pentagon's direction under Hegseth's leadership.
Mounting pressure tests Pentagon leadership
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth finds himself at the center of expanding investigations into his use of the Signal messaging app for sharing sensitive military information. The controversy has triggered the departure of multiple senior Pentagon officials and drawn criticism from Democratic leadership demanding his removal. As the Defense Department's inspector general examines both Signal chat groups and the White House maintains its support, questions persist about the security implications of sharing classified operational details through unauthorized communication channels.
