In a revelation that has further shaken the credibility of the Pentagon’s top leadership, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly shared sensitive information about U.S. airstrikes in Yemen through a private Signal messaging group that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. The incident marks the second time Hegseth has been implicated in potentially mishandling military communications via encrypted chats.
According to individuals familiar with the matter, the private group—titled “Defense | Team Huddle”—was created by Hegseth before his confirmation and remained active after he took office. This latest disclosure adds to the growing controversy over Hegseth’s judgment and the Trump administration’s handling of national security information.
Flight Details Reportedly Shared with Non-Government Members
Sources say Hegseth used his personal phone to relay operational details, including the flight schedule of F/A-18 Hornets deployed against Houthi targets in Yemen, via the Signal app. While the group was originally intended for logistical and scheduling updates, it increasingly became a space where high-level information was disseminated.
Of particular concern is the inclusion of individuals with no formal national security roles. Jennifer Hegseth, the defense secretary’s wife and a former Fox News producer, as well as his brother Phil and attorney Tim Parlatore, were all recipients of the message. Although the latter two hold positions at the Pentagon, their need-to-know status regarding strike plans remains unclear.
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Echoes of Earlier Mistake Involving The Atlantic
This incident follows an earlier episode in which classified details were accidentally shared with the editor of The Atlantic after he was mistakenly added to a Signal group meant for top-level coordination. That group, led by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and labeled “Houthi PC small group,” was designed for high-level decision-makers, including Hegseth.
Waltz later accepted responsibility for the oversight involving The Atlantic, calling it an error in judgment. However, Hegseth’s creation of a separate channel, seemingly with less stringent vetting, has intensified scrutiny of his leadership.
White House and Pentagon Downplay Concerns
The Trump administration has downplayed the severity of the revelations, insisting no classified material was disclosed in either Signal chat. Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the White House, said, “No matter how many times the legacy media tries to resurrect the same nonstory, they can’t change the fact that no classified information was shared.”
Similarly, a senior U.S. official defended Hegseth, describing the group chat as “informal” and emphasizing that it included only close advisers. Pentagon Press Secretary Sean Parnell initially declined to comment but later took to social media, calling the report “another old story—back from the dead.”
Internal Fallout and Firing of Senior Aides
The fallout within the Pentagon has been swift. Two senior advisers to Hegseth—Dan Caldwell and Darin Selnick—were recently dismissed amid a broader leak investigation. Both were part of the “Defense | Team Huddle” chat and had been accused of leaking unauthorized information. In a public statement, they denied wrongdoing and claimed they were scapegoats in an increasingly chaotic Defense Department.
Adding to the turmoil, John Ullyot, a former senior Pentagon official who recently stepped down, published an op-ed in Politico accusing the department of descending into disorder under Hegseth’s watch. He urged President Trump to consider replacing the defense secretary.
Congressional Response: Calls for Resignation
While the administration has stood by Hegseth, congressional Democrats have called for his removal. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, a decorated combat veteran, issued a harsh rebuke: “Every day he stays in his job is another day our troops’ lives are endangered by his singular stupidity.”
Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, echoed the sentiment. “If true, this incident is another troubling example of Secretary Hegseth’s reckless disregard for operational security,” he said.
Conclusion: Growing Pressure Amid Ongoing Investigation
With mounting pressure from both internal and external sources, the future of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense remains uncertain. Though the administration maintains no classified materials were compromised, the blurring of professional boundaries and improper information-sharing practices raise serious ethical and procedural concerns.
As investigations continue and more details emerge, the incident is likely to intensify the broader debate over the Trump administration’s national security posture—and the accountability of its top officials.
