In a startling revelation, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has come under fire for creating a second Signal messaging chat where he allegedly shared sensitive details about a military airstrike against Yemen’s Houthi militants. This chat included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer, raising serious questions about the security of classified information within the Trump administration.
According to a report by The New York Times on April 20, 2025, Hegseth's second Signal group, dubbed "Defense Team Huddle," consisted of 13 participants. Among them were his wife, Jennifer, a former Fox News producer, and his brother Phil Hegseth, who works at the Pentagon as a Department of Homeland Security liaison and senior adviser. Both have accompanied the defense secretary to high-level meetings and events.
The details shared in this second chat mirrored those disclosed in another Signal group chat involving top Trump administration officials, which had come to light last month when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was mistakenly added to the group. In that chat, Hegseth had listed weapons systems and a timeline for the airstrike targeting the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen.
On March 15, as the U.S. prepared for the military strike, sensitive details, including flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornets, were reportedly shared in both chats. The Pentagon has since faced backlash for the apparent mishandling of classified information, as Signal is not authorized for such communications.
The White House has dismissed the report as a "non-story." Anna Kelly, the White House deputy press secretary, stated, "No classified information was shared," and suggested that disgruntled former Pentagon employees were spreading false claims. However, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has called for Hegseth’s dismissal, asserting, "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 fallout from the incident has been significant, with four officials in Hegseth’s inner circle departing from the Pentagon as part of a broader investigation into information leaks. Dan Caldwell, who was identified during the investigation, was escorted out of the Pentagon last week, along with Darin Selnick and Colin Carroll, both of whom were placed on administrative leave. Caldwell, Selnick, and Carroll issued a joint statement claiming they were not informed of the specifics of the investigation.
Hegseth’s handling of classified information is now under investigation by the Defense Department’s acting inspector general, following requests from Senate Armed Services Committee leaders, Republican Chairman Roger Wicker and Democratic ranking member Jack Reed. Reed has urged the inspector general to probe the second Signal chat as well, emphasizing the need for accountability in light of the potential risks posed to American servicemembers.
"I have grave concerns about Secretary Hegseth’s ability to maintain the trust and confidence of U.S. servicemembers and the Commander-in-Chief," Reed noted.
The controversy surrounding Hegseth’s use of Signal has led to heightened scrutiny of the Trump administration's approach to classified information. Critics have pointed to the "Signalgate" incident as indicative of broader issues within the administration regarding the management of sensitive military operations.
In response to the growing criticism, Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson, defended Hegseth, stating, "There was no classified information in any Signal chat, no matter how many ways they try to write the story." He characterized the media coverage as driven by disgruntled former employees seeking to undermine the Secretary of Defense and the President's agenda.
While Hegseth has repeatedly denied that any classified information was shared in the chats, the implications of the revelations have prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability within the Pentagon. The investigation into Hegseth's actions and the circumstances surrounding the Signal chats is expected to continue, as lawmakers from both parties seek answers regarding the administration's handling of sensitive national security information.
The situation remains fluid, with the Pentagon’s internal watchdog actively reviewing Hegseth’s compliance with Department of Defense policies. As the inquiry unfolds, the outcome could have significant ramifications for Hegseth's position and the Trump administration's approach to handling classified information.
