Overview

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth created a Signal chat, 'Defense | Team Huddle,' in January, which included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer, alongside others from his personal and professional circles.
• On March 15, Hegseth shared details of Yemen airstrikes, including F/A-18 Hornet flight schedules, in the group chat, mirroring information shared in a separate Signal chat involving senior officials.
• The Pentagon’s acting Inspector General is investigating Hegseth’s use of Signal, as concerns mount over operational security lapses and the use of unclassified communication platforms for sensitive information.
• Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer, who is not a Defense Department employee, has faced criticism for attending sensitive meetings with foreign leaders and being included in the chat.
• Despite administration claims that no classified information was shared, bipartisan scrutiny and calls for accountability over communication practices persist.