WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is grappling with a fresh wave of controversy surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is accused of sharing sensitive military plans in a second Signal group chat, this time involving his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. The White House, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, has dismissed the reports as a “nonstory” driven by “disgruntled employees” while staunchly defending Hegseth’s leadership at the Pentagon. The allegations, first reported by The New York Times and discussed in a recent Fox & Friends segment, have reignited concerns about Hegseth’s judgment and the administration’s handling of national security communications.

A Second Signal Chat Surfaces

The latest controversy stems from a private Signal group chat named “Defense | Team Huddle,” created by Hegseth in January before his confirmation as defense secretary. According to The New York Times, the chat included Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer Rauchet, a former Fox News producer with no official Pentagon role, his brother Phil Hegseth, and his personal lawyer, Tim Parlatore, both of whom hold positions at the Department of Defense. On March 15, Hegseth allegedly shared detailed information about airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, including flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornet jets.

This follows a previous incident in March, when Hegseth and other senior Trump administration officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, inadvertently included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg in a separate Signal chat discussing similar military plans. That chat, named “Houthi PC small group,” contained operational details about the same Yemen strikes, such as the timing of F-18 launches and MQ-9 drone deployments. The White House confirmed the authenticity of the first chat but insisted no classified information was shared.

The second chat, however, has raised new questions about Hegseth’s discretion. “It is safe to say that anybody in uniform would be court-martialed for this,” a defense official told CNN about the earlier incident, a sentiment echoed by critics of the new allegations. Former national security officials have expressed alarm that sensitive military plans were discussed on a commercial messaging app, even one with end-to-end encryption like Signal, rather than secure government channels.

White House and Hegseth Push Back

In a Fox & Friends appearance on April 21, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Hegseth, emphasizing that “no classified information was shared” in either chat. “Recently fired ‘leakers’ are continuing to misrepresent the truth to soothe their shattered egos and undermine the president’s agenda,” Leavitt said, pointing to three senior Pentagon aides—Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll—who were dismissed last week for alleged unauthorized disclosures. A fourth aide, Joe Kasper, Hegseth’s chief of staff, is reportedly set to leave soon.

Leavitt’s remarks were echoed by President Donald Trump, who expressed unwavering support for Hegseth during a press interaction on Monday. “Pete’s doing a great job. Everybody’s happy with him,” Trump said, dismissing the reports as “fake news” and suggesting they stemmed from “disgruntled employees.” Hegseth himself has been vocal in his defense, calling the media “hoaxsters” during an exchange with reporters at the White House Easter Egg Roll. “What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out,” he said, gesturing to his family and insisting he was focused on his duties.

The administration’s narrative has been challenged by multiple sources. The Atlantic published transcripts of the first chat, revealing Hegseth’s messages about specific aircraft and strike timelines, which experts argue were classified at the time. A U.S. defense official told CNN that such real-time operational updates are typically shared only in highly secure settings, underscoring the gravity of the breach. The second chat’s inclusion of non-government figures like Rauchet has further fueled criticism, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer calling for Hegseth’s resignation on April 19.

Hegseth’s Rocky Tenure

Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, was confirmed as defense secretary in January by a narrow margin, amid scrutiny over past allegations of sexual misconduct, infidelity, and excessive drinking. His tenure has been marked by bold but controversial moves, including efforts to purge “DEI” (diversity, equity, and inclusion) content from the Pentagon and reallocate resources to project a “lethal” image, as he told reporters late last year. Critics, including some within the Department of Defense, describe his leadership as impulsive, driven by verbal orders and gut instinct rather than a deliberative process.

“Hegseth is a TV personality,” a former DoD official told CNN. “He’s like, ‘Yeah, yeah, go do it,’ when a general makes a recommendation. [Former Defense Secretary] Lloyd Austin would never be like that.” The official’s remarks reflect broader concerns about Hegseth’s inexperience, particularly as he navigates a Pentagon budget of $892 billion and complex global challenges like countering Houthi attacks and managing U.S. military commitments in the Indo-Pacific.

The Signal chat scandals have amplified these concerns. Georgia GOP Representative Rich McCormick, a former combat veteran, told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that the disclosures “do jeopardize people’s lives” and warrant accountability, though he stopped short of calling for resignations. Meanwhile, The Washington Post noted that Hegseth’s use of Signal contrasts sharply with the secure communication protocols available to him, such as SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities) designed for classified discussions.

National Security Implications

The leaks have sparked a broader debate about the Trump administration’s approach to operational security (OPSEC). In the first chat, Hegseth wrote, “We are currently clean on OPSEC,” a claim proven false when Goldberg received the messages. The second chat’s inclusion of personal associates raises additional red flags. “If this information had fallen into the wrong hands, American pilots and personnel could have been exposed to greater danger,” The Atlantic warned, citing experts who stressed the risks of using non-secure platforms for sensitive discussions.

Signal’s end-to-end encryption offers a high level of privacy, but experts note that it is not a substitute for government-controlled secure channels. “Even lower-ranking officials have secure laptops or phones for classified communications,” a former senior U.S. official told The Washington Post. The Pentagon’s chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, has maintained that Hegseth’s messages were merely updates on an already-briefed plan, not classified material. However, the timing of the disclosures—hours before the strikes—has led many to question this assertion.

The fallout has also strained relations with Congress. During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in March, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe faced repeated questions about the first chat. Both deflected responsibility to Hegseth, noting that he, as the original classifying authority, determines what is classified. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) pressed for clarity on whether Hegseth declassified the information before sharing it, a question that remains unanswered.

Looking Ahead

As the Pentagon’s internal investigation into the leaks continues, Hegseth’s future remains uncertain. Reports from YouTube and Newsweek suggest the White House may be exploring replacements, though Trump’s public support for Hegseth indicates he is unlikely to step down voluntarily. The administration’s focus on rooting out “leakers” and discrediting media reports may deflect some criticism, but the damage to Hegseth’s reputation and the Pentagon’s morale could linger.

For now, the White House is doubling down on its narrative of a media-driven “hoax” while portraying Hegseth as a transformative leader. Whether this strategy will weather the growing scrutiny—or whether Hegseth’s tenure will survive the mounting pressure—remains to be seen. As one former official put it, “This is not just about a chat. It’s about trust, competence, and the safety of those who serve.”