White House Initiates Search for New Pentagon Chief Amid Signal Chat Controversy
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Synopsis
The White House has begun the process of finding a new Pentagon chief after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was reported to have shared sensitive military information in a private Signal chat that involved family members and close associates. The report has drawn significant media attention and reactions from high-level officials.
Key Takeaways
- The White House is searching for a new Pentagon chief.
- Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive info in a group chat.
- The chat included family members and close associates.
- The report has drawn responses from President Trump and White House press secretary.
- Previous controversies surround Hegseth's communication practices.
Washington, April 22 (NationPress) The White House has initiated a search for a new Pentagon chief, according to a US broadcaster, following reports that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed sensitive military information in a group chat involving his wife and brother.
As noted by an unnamed US official, NPR reported that the search commenced after The New York Times (NYT) revealed on Sunday that Hegseth shared details regarding US operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen on March 15 via a Signal messaging chat.
The NYT report highlighted that Hegseth disclosed highly classified information, including F/A-18 Hornet flight schedules, to a private group called “Defense | Team Huddle,” which he established in January using his personal device. This group consisted of his wife, Jennifer Hegseth (a former Fox News producer), his brother, his personal attorney, and approximately a dozen others from his close circle.
This report follows an earlier revelation by The Atlantic, which uncovered another Signal chat originally meant for senior national security officials.
Hegseth had previously encountered scrutiny for allegedly sharing details about strikes in Yemen in a different Signal chat that mistakenly included a journalist, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
Earlier that day, President Donald Trump labeled the NYT report as “fake news.”
“Pete's doing a fantastic job. Everyone's pleased,” Trump remarked to reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll event.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also characterized the NPR report as “fake news.”
“This NPR story is complete FAKE NEWS based on one anonymous source who clearly lacks accurate information,” Leavitt expressed on X. “As the President stated earlier today, he firmly supports SecDef.”
