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Pentagon Chief Faces Inspector General Review Over Second Signal Chat Leak

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under scrutiny for sharing sensitive Yemen airstrike details with family members, as White House reaffirms Trump's support.

Pete Hegseth reportedly shared Yemen strike plans with his family members
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with El Salvador's Minister of National Defense Rene Merino Monroy at the Pentagon, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Overview

  • The Pentagon's acting inspector general has launched a formal review into Pete Hegseth's use of the Signal app to determine compliance with Department of Defense communication policies.
  • A second Signal chat reportedly included sensitive details of a March 15 Yemen airstrike and involved Hegseth's wife, brother, and personal lawyer, raising further security concerns.
  • Three senior aides—Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll—were fired or placed on leave following an internal investigation into leaks initiated by Hegseth's chief of staff, Joe Kasper.
  • Hegseth and the White House deny that classified information was shared, with President Trump expressing strong support for the embattled defense secretary.
  • The controversy has intensified bipartisan calls for Hegseth's removal, with critics citing risks to operational security and a leadership crisis at the Pentagon.