Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under intense scrutiny following revelations that he shared sensitive military information in a second Signal chat group, this time with personal contacts including his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. The chat reportedly contained detailed plans about a U.S. military operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen, including flight schedules and launch times for airstrikes.
This incident follows a prior controversy where Hegseth was found to have shared similar sensitive information in another Signal chat that inadvertently included a journalist. The recurrence of such breaches has raised serious concerns about Hegseth's judgment and adherence to protocols for handling classified information.
The Department of Defense's Inspector General has launched an investigation into the matter. While Hegseth and the White House deny that classified information was shared, critics argue that the details disclosed were sensitive and could compromise national security.
The fallout has led to internal turmoil within the Pentagon, with several senior officials placed on administrative leave amid the leak investigations. Former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot described the situation as a "full-blown meltdown," criticizing the department's handling of the crisis.
Despite growing calls for his resignation from both Democratic and some Republican lawmakers, President Donald Trump has expressed full support for Hegseth, dismissing the controversy as a politically motivated attack by disgruntled former employees.
The ongoing investigation and political fallout continue to cast a shadow over Hegseth's tenure as Defense Secretary, raising questions about the handling of sensitive information at the highest levels of the U.S. government.
