Trump expresses support for Defense secretary amid new leak allegations

President Donald Trump has publicly defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after reports emerged about sensitive military information being shared in a Signal chat group. The group reportedly included Hegseth’s wife, brother, and lawyer—raising concerns about breaches in security protocol. Trump dismissed the concerns and reaffirmed his trust in Hegseth. The White House also denied that any classified information was shared. However, the situation has sparked a wave of criticism and media scrutiny.

The controversy builds on a previous leak involving another Signal chat with high-level officials and a journalist. CBS confirmed that Hegseth had shared airstrike details on Yemen, including flight schedules of U.S. jets. Critics argue this could endanger military operations, despite the administration’s insistence that no classified intel was involved. Hegseth hasn't directly addressed the second leak reports. The chats reportedly originated from Hegseth himself.

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Signal chat use and involvement of non-officials spark Pentagon security concerns

Hegseth’s inclusion of non-government individuals in security conversations has intensified public and media backlash. His wife holds no official role, and while his brother and lawyer have DoD positions, their need for military strike details remains unclear. The first chat group was exposed when a journalist was mistakenly added. Both chats have drawn attention to communication practices within the Pentagon.

The use of Signal, though encrypted—has raised questions about secure communication protocols for sensitive information. Experts emphasize the importance of government-controlled systems over private messaging apps for national security discussions. Amid these leaks, Hegseth fired three officials for allegedly leaking information. The firings have been linked to the sudden flood of critical reports.

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Pentagon in turmoil as Hegseth faces criticism amid Yemen strikes and signal leak fallout

Former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot described the department as being in “total chaos” and criticized Hegseth’s leadership. He claimed that false narratives were being spread about outgoing staff. The Pentagon’s current spokesman defended Hegseth and accused the media of attacking Trump allies. The White House reiterated that no classified information was disclosed in either chat group.

The leaks occur against the backdrop of U.S. military actions in Yemen, which Washington describes as a response to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. These strikes have reportedly caused dozens of deaths and injuries, escalating regional tensions. The Houthis claim their attacks support Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict. This geopolitical context adds urgency to debates about the secure handling of military communications.