Hegseth leaked detailed US military plans in Signal chat with wife and brother – CNN

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While the Pentagon is engulfed in panic dramas, Hegseth avoids publicity by not appearing at meetings.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth relayed details of the operation against the Houthis in a Signal chat with his wife, brother and lawyer, using his personal phone, CNN reported , citing three sources.

The chat was created during Hegset’s confirmation process. He continued to use it after his appointment. It had more than ten people in it. Similar chats have also been the subject of investigation — in particular, one of them was accidentally revealed by National Security Advisor Mike Volz.

The investigation into the data leaks is being led by the acting inspector general of the Department of Defense. It is not known whether all participants in the chat had access to classified information. A Pentagon spokesman said that “no classified information was in any Signal chat.”

Personnel purges and paranoia about leaks

News of the second chat came amid Pentagon firings of Caldwell, Selnick, Carroll, and the replacement of Chief of Staff Joe Kasper. Hegseth believed the leaks were linked to his advisers.

Suspicions grew after critical media reports, particularly about the campaign against the Houthis. He even considered contacting the FBI, although advisers refused – the inspector general had already begun an investigation.

Caldwell, Selnick, and Carroll stated:

“All three of us have served our country honorably in uniform… we understand the importance of information security… they still haven’t said what exactly we were being investigated for.”

“Although the Department said it would conduct polygraph tests as part of the investigation, none of the three passed a lie detector test. Hegset’s team developed a habit of spreading outright, easily debunked anonymous lies about their colleagues when the door closed behind them,” says former Pentagon press secretary John Ulliot.

Focus lost

In the midst of a campaign in the Middle East, the movement of forces to the region, and threats from Iran, the Pentagon is beset by internal scandals.

“Unfortunately, after a terrible month, the Pentagon is no longer focused on war, but on endless drama. The last month has been a full-scale meltdown at the Pentagon — and it’s becoming a real problem for the administration,” Ulliot said.

Meanwhile, Hegseth is avoiding publicity. He didn’t even show up for a meeting with the French defense minister, sending an aide in his place.

(C)UNIAN 2025