US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing scrutiny after being linked to a second group chat that discussed sensitive military operations. This chat reportedly included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. The messages, shared via the Signal app, contained details about an airstrike against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis that took place in March.
The New York Times first reported on this second chat, noting it included around a dozen participants and revealed the timing of airstrikes. Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer, has participated in sensitive military meetings, while his brother works at the Pentagon as a senior advisor.
This isn’t the first time Hegseth has been involved in a controversy regarding leaked military information. A previous group chat, which included national security adviser Mike Waltz, accidentally added a journalist from The Atlantic. This led to sensitive military plans being disclosed publicly.
Hegseth shared information about last month’s airstrike with cabinet officials, and that information later leaked. The White House has defended him, stating that no classified information was shared and labeling the situation as a "non-story." Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly criticized the media for trying to revive old narratives and mentioned that recent firings at the Pentagon were part of an investigation into leaks.
However, critics argue that the details shared in the group chats could endanger military personnel. The second chat, named "Defence | Team Huddle," was created on Hegseth’s personal phone and reportedly included the same operational details as the first chat. Some former officials have stated that sharing such information before a strike is typically classified and could jeopardize the safety of pilots involved.
Calls for Hegseth’s resignation have come from various Democratic politicians. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer expressed concern over Hegseth’s actions, stating that he has repeatedly put lives at risk and urging President Trump to take action against him.
This ongoing situation raises serious questions about the handling of sensitive military information and the responsibilities of those in high-level positions within the government.