U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a private Signal chat on his personal phone to share details about military operations against the Houthis in Yemen, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke to CNN. Pete Hegseth has been at the center of significant scrutiny due to these actions.
The group chat included Hegseth’s wife, his lawyer, and his brother — along with over a dozen others. Initially created during Hegseth’s heated confirmation hearing, the chat was meant for strategic coordination among his closest allies, two of the sources said. But even after he was confirmed, Hegseth continued using it to communicate sensitive updates.
As discussions continue about the implications of these leaked chats, Pete Hegseth’s approach to leadership is being questioned by many.
In light of these revelations, Pete Hegseth’s strategies are being analyzed closely for effectiveness and transparency.
Like a separate Signal chat with Cabinet officials that’s now under investigation by the Defense Department’s acting inspector general, this second group also featured discussions of military strikes. The Atlantic had earlier reported on the first group after its editor was mistakenly added by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
Amid all this, Pete Hegseth is under pressure to demonstrate effective leadership and regain the trust of his colleagues.
Many are now questioning whether Pete Hegseth can stabilize the situation and restore focus on crucial military operations.
Chaos in the Pentagon’s Top Ranks
Despite the chaos, supporters of Pete Hegseth argue that his experience is vital for the current challenges faced by the Pentagon.
Critics, however, suggest that Pete Hegseth’s management style may be contributing to the ongoing issues.
The fallout from these firings places even more pressure on Pete Hegseth to clarify his vision for the department.
Pete Hegseth’s Leadership Under Scrutiny
The revelation comes amid significant upheaval in Hegseth’s office. Last week, he dismissed three top officials — senior adviser Dan Caldwell, deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to the deputy secretary of defense. Former press secretary John Ullyot and multiple former staffers have expressed concerns about Hegseth’s leadership.
“It’s been a month of total chaos at the Pentagon. From leaks of sensitive operational plans to mass firings, the dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president — who deserves better from his senior leadership,” Ullyot told CNN.
Hegseth’s brother Phil and attorney Tim Parlatore both work at the Department of Defense. However, his wife Jennifer does not hold any official position, even though she attended meetings with foreign leaders early in his tenure. Whether everyone in the Signal chat had proper security clearance remains unclear.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell addressed concerns via social media, stating: “There was no classified information in any Signal chat.” The New York Times first reported on the second chat.
Fallout From Firings and Internal Battles
The Defense Department originally attributed the firings to a leak investigation. However, CNN sources say these personnel changes reflect wider dysfunction in Hegseth’s team, particularly infighting among Kasper, Caldwell, Selnick, and Carroll.
As the situation evolves, all eyes will be on Pete Hegseth to see how he navigates this turbulent period.
Kasper resigned last week, though he may remain in the department in another capacity.
Amid a flurry of press leaks involving plans in the Middle East, Panama Canal, and even a classified China briefing for Elon Musk, Hegseth and Kasper initiated a leak probe involving polygraph tests.
Following critical press coverage, including reports questioning the success of the campaign against the Houthis, Hegseth reportedly grew paranoid, suspecting even close advisers of betrayal. At one point, he pushed for an FBI investigation into the leaks — a move aides cautioned against.
Caldwell, Selnick, and Carroll are expected to be interviewed as part of the inspector general’s investigation. In a joint statement, they said:
“We are incredibly disappointed by the manner in which our service at the Department of Defense ended… Based on our collective service, we understand the importance of information security and worked every day to protect it… At this time, we still have not been told what exactly we were investigated for, if there is still an active investigation, or if there was even a real investigation of ‘leaks’ to begin with.”
Growing Scrutiny and Loss of Focus
Ullyot further questioned the firings, saying, “not one of three has been given a lie detector test.” He added, “Unfortunately, Hegseth’s team has developed a habit of spreading flat-out, easily debunked falsehoods anonymously about their colleagues on their way out the door.”
With the Pentagon engaged in major operations in the Middle East, preparing for regional escalation, and handling troop deployments to the U.S. border, critics say Hegseth’s leadership has become a liability.
“Unfortunately, after a terrible month, the Pentagon focus is no longer on warfighting, but on endless drama,” Ullyot said. “Even strong backers of the secretary like me must admit: The last month has been a full-blown meltdown at the Pentagon — and it’s becoming a real problem for the administration.”
Hegseth has yet to publicly address the firings or internal turmoil. Notably, he skipped a scheduled appearance alongside the French defense minister last Thursday, sending an aide in his place.
