The White House has begun quietly identifying potential replacements for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, amid a growing controversy over leaked military information, according to an NPR report citing an anonymous U.S. official.
This comes as Hegseth is accused of sharing sensitive U.S. military plans in Yemen via a private Signal chat with family members — a move that has sparked bipartisan outrage and national security concerns.
What Was Allegedly Leaked?
The controversy centers around claims that Hegseth shared details of upcoming airstrikes, including F/A-18 Hornet flight schedules targeting Houthi rebels, with his wife, brother, and personal lawyer in a family Signal group. One chat — nicknamed “Houthi PC small group” — mistakenly included The Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, further deepening the crisis.
Hegseth Hits Back: “Not Gonna Work With Me”
In response, Hegseth has denied all allegations, calling the reports politically motivated hit jobs. Speaking at the White House on April 21, he said, “Leakers get fired and hit pieces come out… not gonna work with me.”
He insisted the attacks were coming from former employees trying to “ruin reputations” and affirmed his strong alignment with President Donald Trump:
“I have spoken to the president, and we are going to continue fighting on the same page all the way.”
Trump Stands By Hegseth, For Now
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump continues to back Hegseth, saying:
“The president absolutely has confidence in Secretary Hegseth. I spoke to him about it this morning.”
Leak Fallout: Pentagon Firings and Political Firestorm
The controversy has already led to the firing of four Pentagon aides, and a memo signed by Hegseth’s Chief of Staff called for a full probe into the leaks.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has demanded Hegseth’s immediate removal, posting on X (formerly Twitter):
“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.”
What’s Next?
Though Trump stands by Hegseth for now, the White House’s reported search for a successor signals growing concern over the national security implications — and potential political fallout — of the unfolding scandal.
