White House Backs Hegseth After Second Signal Leak/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The White House reaffirmed its support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after reports surfaced about a second Signal chat where military strike details were shared. Critics say the messages may have revealed sensitive information, deepening concerns about national security. The Pentagon remains mired in internal turmoil, including multiple staff exits and a growing investigation.
White House Backs Hegseth Amid New Signal Chat Scandal – Quick Looks
- White House Support: Trump stands by Hegseth despite new allegations.
- Second Signal Chat: Included Hegseth’s wife, brother, and 10 others.
- Details Shared: Same strike timing data seen in first leaked chat.
- Media Response: Hegseth blames disgruntled ex-staff, denies wrongdoing.
- Demands to Resign: Schumer calls for Hegseth’s immediate removal.
- Internal Turmoil: Four senior aides ousted amid leak investigation.
- Security Concerns: Sharing launch details may have endangered troops.
- Ongoing Probe: Inspector general expands inquiry to second Signal group.
- Pentagon Disarray: Content removal controversies and staff shake-ups continue.
- Signal Use Criticized: App not cleared for sensitive or classified comms.
Deep Look: Hegseth Faces Fallout Over New Signal Chat as Pentagon Turmoil Deepens
WASHINGTON — The White House on Monday reaffirmed its confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid growing backlash over revelations that he participated in a second Signal messaging chat, this time involving family members, where sensitive military strike information was reportedly shared.
The news, first reported by The New York Times, has ignited further scrutiny of Hegseth’s judgment and cast a larger spotlight on the Pentagon’s internal discord. Despite calls for his resignation, the Trump administration stood firm.
“The president stands strongly behind Secretary Hegseth, who is doing a phenomenal job leading the Pentagon,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “This is what happens when the entire Pentagon is working against you and the monumental change you’re trying to implement.”
Second Chat Raises Fresh National Security Concerns
According to the Times report, Hegseth was part of a 13-person Signal group chat titled “Defense ‘ Team Huddle,” which included his wife Usha (a former Fox News producer), his brother Phil (a senior adviser at the Pentagon), and other close contacts. Sources say the content mirrored the now-infamous first Signal chat, which disclosed warplane launch timelines ahead of a U.S. airstrike on Houthi militants in Yemen.
Such operational details, shared before a strike, are widely considered classified. Former defense officials have warned this could have put American pilots at risk.
An individual familiar with the chats, speaking to the Associated Press under anonymity, confirmed that the same sensitive information appeared in both chats. However, neither the White House nor Hegseth denied the contents—instead, they dismissed criticism as politically motivated and stemming from “disgruntled former employees.”
Hegseth Responds: “Not Going to Work With Me”
While attending the White House Easter Egg Roll, Hegseth brushed off the controversy.
“They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees and try to ruin reputations,” he said. “Not going to work with me. We’re putting the Pentagon back in the hands of warfighters.”
His defiance reflects the administration’s broader approach—casting the leak investigation as part of a deep-state resistance to Trump’s military agenda.
Bipartisan Calls for Accountability
Democratic leaders are not buying it. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer posted bluntly on X:
“The details keep coming out. We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk. But Trump is still too weak to fire him. Pete Hegseth must be fired.”
The Defense Department’s acting inspector general is already investigating Hegseth’s Signal use at the request of the Senate Armed Services Committee. On Sunday, ranking Democrat Jack Reed called for that probe to be expanded to include the second chat.
Signal App Use: Breaking Protocol?
The app at the center of the controversy, Signal, is widely used for encrypted communication—but it is not authorized for sharing sensitive or classified national defense information.
The first chat group, created by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, came under fire after it was revealed that a journalist from The Atlantic had been added. Screenshots later published showed Hegseth detailing weapons systems and planned strike times—data that would typically be considered highly sensitive or classified.
Despite this, the Trump administration has stuck to the line that “no classified information was shared.” Yet multiple national security experts argue otherwise, warning that even non-top-secret operational data can compromise missions if leaked prematurely.
Staff Exodus Fuels Pentagon Turmoil
The Signal controversy comes amid broader instability at the Pentagon. Four senior officials aligned with Hegseth departed last week during a leak investigation.
Among them were:
- Dan Caldwell – Hegseth’s senior aide
- Colin Carroll – Chief of Staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg
- Darin Selnick – Hegseth’s deputy chief of staff
All were reportedly escorted out of the building. In a joint statement posted by Caldwell, the trio claimed they still don’t know why they were under investigation or even if the probe is ongoing.
Also departing was former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot, who was asked to resign last week in an unrelated matter, according to the Pentagon.
The unrest follows previous backlash over content purges from Pentagon websites that targeted diversity and inclusion materials. The Defense Department has scrambled to restore many of the removed posts amid public pressure.
Conclusion: A Leadership Crisis at Defense
As scrutiny builds, the Signal scandal underscores a deepening credibility and communications crisis within the Defense Department. Hegseth’s defiant stance and the White House’s continued support signal no immediate change in leadership—but the pressure is mounting.
With the inspector general investigation now spanning two controversial group chats, and lawmakers demanding accountability, Hegseth’s role as Defense Secretary appears increasingly precarious.
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