Just before the United States launched military strikes on Yemen on March 15, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly shared classified information about the planned attack in a private Signal group chat. According to The New York Times, that group included not only senior Trump officials, but also Hegseth’s wife, brother, and personal lawyer—raising serious questions about national security protocol.
The Signal group was initially created by US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and, by mistake, even included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. That group chat had already raised concerns after revealing sensitive information about US military operations.
What Was in the Second Private Chat?
A second chat has now come to light—this one created by Hegseth himself. The group was named “Defense | Team Huddle”, and, unlike the previous one, it was operated through his personal phone. It reportedly included his wife Jennifer Hegseth (a former Fox News producer) and several individuals from both his personal and professional circles.
This second chat, according to four sources familiar with its content, included specific operational details such as flight schedules of F/A-18 Hornets meant to strike Houthi rebel targets in Yemen. What’s more alarming is that Hegseth allegedly shared the same classified information in both chats at approximately the same time.
Why It’s a Big Deal
The use of unclassified platforms like Signal for sharing top-secret war plans has sparked intense criticism. The revelations are raising questions about Hegseth’s judgment and ability to manage one of the most sensitive portfolios in the government.
His wife’s presence in such circles is also controversial. The Wall Street Journal reported that Jennifer Hegseth has even attended meetings with foreign military leaders, blurring the lines between official and personal roles at the Pentagon.
Fallout and Political Reactions
The leak scandal has already led to a shake-up inside the Pentagon. Dan Caldwell, a top adviser to Hegseth, was escorted out last week after being identified during an internal leak investigation. Two others—Darin Selnick and Colin Carroll—have been placed on administrative leave.
The political backlash has been swift. “We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X. “But Trump is still too weak to fire him. Pete Hegseth must be fired.”
Despite the mounting pressure, the Pentagon and the White House have remained silent. No official statement has been released at the time of writing.
With new layers of this story unfolding and internal investigations ongoing, Hegseth’s future at the Pentagon looks increasingly uncertain. As the fallout spreads, this incident serves as a critical test of how digital communication and personal loyalty are reshaping the boundaries of national security.
