WASHINGTON (AP) In recent revelations, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth created a Signal messaging chat that included personal contacts such as his wife, Jennifer, a former Fox News producer, and his brother, Phil Hegseth, who serves as a Department of Homeland Security liaison. This second chat, referred to as "Defense 'Team Huddle'", included 13 individuals and reportedly contained details about a March military airstrike targeting Yemen’s Houthi militants, paralleling another chat shared with top officials in the Trump administration. The information was initially reported by The New York Times and is considered sensitive by many officials.
Signal is a commercially available app not sanctioned for transmitting classified national defense information. Nonetheless, a source familiar with the matter confirmed the existence of this chat to The Associated Press. The group, which included Hegseth's family members, participated in discussions concerning military operations that could have serious ramifications for national security.
The situation escalated when the White House dismissed this report as a "non-story," attributing the leaks to disgruntled former Pentagon staff members looking to tarnish the reputation of current officials. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly claimed that no classified information was ever shared, suggesting that the media's attempts to rekindle this issue were ineffective. However, critics, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, voiced strong opposition, arguing that Hegseth's actions endangered lives and calling for his dismissal.
The initial chat, which included various Cabinet members, has drawn scrutiny after it was exposed that sensitive operational details, like weapons systems and timing for the airstrike against the Houthis, were discussed. Notably, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was also added to this communication chain, leading to further concerns regarding the dissemination of potentially classified information.
Reports indicate that the second chat mirrored the first in its inclusion of the warplane launch times, drawing outrage from former and current officials who emphasized that sharing such operational specifics could endanger military personnel. The Defense Department’s acting inspector general has been tasked with investigating Hegseth's communications following requests from Senate Armed Services leaders, including Republican Chairman Roger Wicker and Democratic ranking member Jack Reed.
Senator Reed expressed significant concerns regarding Hegseth's capacity to maintain trust and confidence among U.S. servicemembers, demanding an explanation for why classified information was allegedly shared in the chat. The scandal has intensified amidst broader turmoil at the Pentagon, which saw the departure of four officials linked to Hegseth's inner circle last week. This includes Dan Caldwell, a key aide, and other high-ranking staff members, all of whom were reportedly escorted out during an ongoing investigation into information leaks.
Meanwhile, former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot's resignation has also added layers to this unfolding narrative, albeit unrelated to the leaks. The Pentagon did not offer immediate comment regarding the situation or the additional Signal chat disclosed by reports. Hegseth has previously maintained that no classified details were transmitted in any of the chats.
As this situation continues to develop, the attention on Hegseth and the implications of his communications remains a significant focal point of concern regarding national security and the management of highly sensitive military information.
