Overview

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under investigation by Acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins for sharing classified military plans via the Signal app with unauthorized recipients, including his wife and brother.
• Hegseth reportedly bypassed Pentagon security protocols by installing an unsecured internet connection in his office to access Signal, raising significant cybersecurity concerns.
• A second Signal chat created by Hegseth revealed additional classified disclosures, further intensifying scrutiny of his operational security practices.
• High staff turnover continues, with key advisers exonerated after being accused of leaks, and Chief of Staff Joe Kasper stepping down after less than 100 days in the role.
• Despite mounting controversies, President Trump has publicly defended Hegseth, dismissing the Signal breaches as unimportant and attributing criticism to media and disgruntled former employees.