Former President Donald Trump has publicly supported Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid accusations that confidential military details were shared in a private messaging group that included Hegseth’s wife, brother, and personal attorney.
The controversy emerged following the accidental inclusion of a journalist in a Signal group chat where top officials, including Hegseth, reportedly discussed U.S. military actions targeting Houthi forces in Yemen. A second group chat, said to have been initiated by Hegseth himself, allegedly contained specific information regarding airstrike missions, including the flight schedules of F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets. CBS News verified the existence of this information through sources familiar with the exchanges.
Responding to the uproar, Trump dismissed the concerns as repetitive media narratives. “Pete’s doing an excellent job,” he told reporters. “Everyone is satisfied with his performance.” He also brushed off inquiries about the Signal chats, remarking, “Signal again? That’s old news.”
Although the White House admitted the group chats existed, it maintained that no classified information was transmitted. Nonetheless, former defense officials cautioned that sharing even non-classified operational details outside secure channels could endanger military personnel.
Hegseth has come under fire for involving his wife, Jennifer Rauchet—who holds no official role in the Pentagon—in discussions about sensitive military matters. His brother Phil and legal adviser Tim Parlatore, both of whom work within the Department of Defense, were also part of the group, though their specific need for such information remains questionable.
Hegseth has not directly addressed the latest wave of reports, but he implied the controversy might be fueled by retaliation from recently dismissed staff. “What a coincidence that the leaks come right after those firings,” he said during a press appearance at the White House.
John Ullyot, a former Pentagon communications official who resigned recently, criticized the current state of the department in an opinion piece for Politico, labeling it as being in “utter disarray.” He refuted claims that the dismissed officials were behind the leaks and accused Hegseth’s team of spreading false narratives about former colleagues.
On the other hand, current Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended Hegseth and the administration, accusing mainstream media of targeting those aligned with Trump’s agenda. He reaffirmed that none of the Signal messages contained classified data.
The uproar coincides with continued U.S. air operations in Yemen, intended as a response to Houthi attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea. According to the Houthi health ministry, recent U.S. strikes have killed at least 74 people and injured 171 more.
With the Pentagon overseeing an $892 billion budget, the growing controversy adds to the mounting pressure and internal friction within the department’s leadership.