In a recent revelation, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has come under scrutiny for creating a second Signal messaging chat group that included his wife and brother. This chat reportedly contained details surrounding a military airstrike against Yemen's Houthi militants, similar to information shared in another communication chain with top officials from the Trump administration. The New York Times initially reported on this development, which has raised significant concerns regarding the handling of sensitive national security information.
A source familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed to The Associated Press that the second Signal chat included 13 participants and was titled “Defense Team Huddle.” Among the group were Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer Hegseth, a former producer at Fox News, and his brother, Phil Hegseth, who serves as a liaison and senior adviser at the Pentagon. Both family members have accompanied Hegseth to high-level meetings, raising questions about the appropriateness of their inclusion in discussions involving national security.
In response to the report, the White House dismissed the allegations as a “non-story,” attributing them to disgruntled former Pentagon employees. Anna Kelly, the White House deputy press secretary, emphasized that “no classified information was shared” and characterized the reports as attempts by “recently-fired ‘leakers’” to misrepresent the truth. Kelly assured that the administration would hold those responsible for the leaks accountable, reiterating the integrity of the information shared.
The emergence of this second chat group has reignited criticism aimed at both Hegseth and the broader Trump administration, particularly for their failure to take action against top national security officials involved in the military strike discussions. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer voiced his concerns on social media, stating, “The details keep coming out. We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk. But Trump is still too weak to fire him.” Schumer's comments reflect a growing discontent regarding the management of sensitive information within the Pentagon.
The initial chat, organized by national security adviser Mike Waltz, included several Cabinet members and gained attention when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was added to the group. Reports indicate that Hegseth shared details about weapons systems and the timeline for the attack on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, which could potentially classify as sensitive information. The National Security Council and Pentagon spokespeople have not yet commented on the implications of this second chat group.
Hegseth has previously maintained that no classified information or war plans were disseminated in these communications. However, the New York Times reported that the second chat contained the same warplane launch times as the first, leading multiple former and current officials to express concern that sharing such operational details before an attack could jeopardize the safety of pilots.
The Defense Department's acting inspector general is currently investigating Hegseth’s use of Signal messaging and the sharing of military plans. This inquiry was initiated at the behest of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led by Republican Chairman Roger Wicker and ranking Democratic member Jack Reed. Reed has called for an immediate explanation from Hegseth regarding the reported sharing of classified information, emphasizing the potential dangers posed to American servicemembers.
These latest developments come amid significant turbulence within the Pentagon, with four officials in Hegseth’s inner circle departing last week as part of an ongoing investigation into information leaks. Among those escorted out were Dan Caldwell, a Hegseth aide, and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg. Caldwell has expressed his frustration over the lack of clarity regarding the investigation, highlighting concerns about transparency and accountability within the Pentagon.
As this situation unfolds, the spotlight remains on Secretary Hegseth and the implications of his actions for national security and the integrity of military communications.
