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Defense Secretary Hegseth Under Fire for Sensitive Information Shared on Messaging App
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing intense scrutiny following reports that he shared sensitive military information via the encrypted messaging app Signal. The former Army National Guard officer’s actions have drawn criticism from fellow politicians and the public alike, raising questions about his judgment and fitness for office.
The controversy began last month when a reporter was inadvertently added to a Signal group chat involving Hegseth, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and other high-ranking officials. The group, named “Houthi PC small group,” contained messages from Hegseth detailing military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen. While Pentagon officials maintain that no classified information was shared, the incident raised concerns about the casual handling of military details.
The situation escalated over the weekend with reports of a second Signal group chat used by Hegseth, allegedly containing even more sensitive information, including potential aircraft attack plans. Sources claim this group, named “Defense|Team Huddle,” included not only officials but also personal contacts such as Hegseth’s wife, brother, and lawyer. Furthermore, Hegseth reportedly accessed this chat from a private phone, not his government-issued device.
The revelations have sparked outrage in Washington. Politicians have publicly denounced Hegseth’s actions, calling him “unfit” for his position and demanding his resignation.
Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan criticized the “dysfunction and turmoil” at the Pentagon, while Senator Cory Booker called for Hegseth’s resignation, citing his “repeated failure to follow basic operational security procedures.” Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg declared Hegseth “unfit to lead,” and Representative Don Bacon called Hegseth’s actions “unacceptable” and “amateur.”
Despite the mounting criticism, President Trump defended Hegseth, stating that he is doing a “great job.” This stance sets up a clash between the president and numerous political figures who are demanding accountability for the Defense Secretary’s actions. The future of Hegseth’s tenure remains uncertain as the controversy continues to unfold.