A second Signal chat scandal has engulfed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, casting shadows over his role in the Pentagon's highest office amid growing concerns about information security.

According to the Daily Mail, Hegseth shared sensitive military details about strikes in Yemen through a private Signal chat group that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer, even as he maintains President Donald Trump's support.

The defense secretary faces mounting pressure after revelations that he created a 13-person chat group called "Defense Team Huddle" where he shared flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornets targeting Houthis in Yemen. This disclosure follows a previous Signal scandal involving National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who had included an editor from The Atlantic in a separate chat.

Pentagon leadership faces internal turmoil

Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot's resignation has added fuel to the controversy. In a scathing Politico op-ed, he described the Defense Department as being in "total chaos" and a "full-blown meltdown." The situation has triggered an internal investigation, resulting in three senior staffers being placed on administrative leave.

President Trump has publicly defended Hegseth, dismissing the controversy as "fake news" and attributing it to disgruntled employees. Speaking at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Trump praised Hegseth's performance, suggesting the secretary was targeted for attempting to remove problematic staff members.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced the administration's position, stating Trump's continued confidence in the defense secretary. However, the investigation's scope has expanded to include various sensitive matters, from Panama Canal operational plans to potential meetings with Elon Musk regarding China war strategies.

Signal chat group raises security concerns

Jennifer Hegseth, the defense secretary's wife and former Fox News producer, was among the chat participants despite lacking Defense Department credentials. His brother Phil, while employed as a Department of Homeland Security liaison, and attorney Tim Parlatore's security clearance levels remain unclear.

The chief of staff who initiated the leak investigation, Joe Kasper, has since transferred to another position within the agency. The probe encompasses multiple security breaches, including unauthorized disclosures about Ukraine intelligence operations and Red Sea deployments.

Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot expressed his views:

I'm a longtime backer of the secretary and value his friendship. The dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president - who deserves better from his senior leadership. It's hard to see Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remaining in his role for much longer.

Pentagon staffers respond to allegations

The three suspended senior staffers - Colin Carroll, Dan Caldwell, and Darin Selnick - have publicly defended their actions. They released a joint statement expressing disappointment in their treatment and highlighting their military service records.

The staffers claimed they remain uninformed about the specific nature of the investigation. Despite their suspension, they expressed continued support for the administration's mission to "make the Pentagon great again and achieve peace through strength."

Hegseth has attempted to discredit the media coverage, particularly targeting the New York Times. He specifically criticized the publication, connecting it to what he termed the "Russia hoax" and questioning the validity of their Pulitzer Prizes.

Where matters stand now

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's position remains precarious following revelations about sharing classified Yemen strike information through the Signal messaging app. The controversy has sparked a widespread Pentagon investigation, resulting in three senior staff suspensions and the departure of his chief of staff from the position. Despite facing intense scrutiny over security protocols and management practices, Hegseth maintains President Trump's public support. The investigation continues to examine multiple potential security breaches, while former Pentagon officials warn of widespread dysfunction within the department's leadership structure.