The White House has doubled down on its support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, dismissing allegations of improper conduct as a “smear campaign” orchestrated by disgruntled former Pentagon employees. In a heated press briefing on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt staunchly defended Hegseth, asserting that he is “doing a tremendous job” and bringing “monumental change” to the Department of Defense. The remarks come amid escalating scrutiny over reports that Hegseth shared sensitive military information via a private Signal group chat, raising questions about national security protocols and the administration’s handling of classified communications.

A Second Signal Chat Sparks Outrage

The controversy stems from a New York Times report detailing a second Signal group chat, dubbed “Defense | Team Huddle,” allegedly created by Hegseth. According to sources familiar with the messages, 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 Defense Department positions. The group reportedly discussed operational details, including flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornet strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on March 15, 2025.

This revelation follows a prior incident in which Hegseth and other cabinet officials inadvertently included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, in a Signal chat discussing plans to attack Houthi rebels. While the White House has denied that classified information was shared in either instance, critics, including former defense officials, argue that such discussions on private platforms could endanger U.S. military personnel. Signal’s end-to-end encryption ensures message security, but experts note that sharing sensitive information outside secure government channels risks unauthorized disclosures.

Leavitt addressed these concerns during Tuesday’s briefing, accusing the media of amplifying “hoaxsters” and attributing the leaks to recently dismissed Pentagon officials. “They were Pentagon employees who leaked against their boss,” she said, responding to a reporter’s question about the officials’ ties to Hegseth’s inner circle. The fired employees, three top Pentagon aides, have denied the accusations, claiming their terminations for “unauthorized disclosure” were baseless and that their character is being unfairly maligned.

Trump’s Unwavering Support

President Donald Trump has also voiced strong backing for Hegseth, brushing off the controversy during a Monday press interaction. “Pete’s doing a great job,” Trump said. “Everybody’s happy with him.” He echoed Leavitt’s narrative, suggesting the reports originated from “disgruntled employees” and urging critics to “try something new.” The president’s confidence in Hegseth remains unshaken, despite mounting pressure from lawmakers and national security experts calling for greater transparency.

Hegseth himself has been vocal in his defense, lashing out at the media during an exchange at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday. “What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out,” he told reporters, dismissing the Signal chat reports as fabrications. He further claimed to be “on the same page” with Trump, signaling a unified front within the administration. However, his confrontational demeanor drew criticism, with some observers noting that his outburst in front of families and children was inappropriate.

Pentagon Shake-Up and Allegations of Retaliation

The dismissal of the three Pentagon officials last week has intensified the controversy. Hegseth justified the firings as a response to “unauthorized disclosure,” but the affected employees have pushed back, arguing that their terminations were retaliatory. The officials, described as part of Hegseth’s inner circle, were reportedly privy to sensitive discussions, raising questions about why they were targeted. Leavitt’s assertion that they were “disgruntled” and working against Hegseth has further fueled speculation about internal power struggles within the Pentagon.

The Defense Department, under Hegseth’s leadership, oversees a 2025 budget of $892 billion, making its operations a focal point of national security debates. Critics argue that the Signal chat incidents reflect a broader lack of discipline in handling classified information. “The White House and Hegseth are being completely disingenuous,” said Sir Bill Browder, a prominent human rights advocate, in a recent interview with Times Radio. Browder’s comments underscore growing concerns about the administration’s credibility on national security matters.

National Security Implications

The use of private messaging apps for official communications has long been a contentious issue. While Signal’s encryption offers robust security, its use for discussing military operations violates established protocols, which mandate secure, government-controlled systems for classified communications. Former defense officials have warned that even encrypted platforms are vulnerable to human error, such as mistakenly adding unauthorized recipients, as seen in the Atlantic editor incident.

The Pentagon’s inspector general has launched a probe into Hegseth’s use of Signal, focusing on whether classified information was compromised. The investigation could have far-reaching implications for Hegseth’s tenure, particularly as reports of a second chat group have amplified calls for accountability. Some Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen, have urged the administration to clarify the extent of the disclosures, citing potential risks to U.S. troops and allies.

White House Deflects Criticism

Leavitt’s briefing sought to redirect attention from Hegseth’s actions to the broader narrative of reform within the Pentagon. She described Hegseth as a transformative leader whose efforts to overhaul the Defense Department have provoked backlash from entrenched interests. “The Pentagon has been in need of change, and Secretary Hegseth is delivering it,” she said. Her remarks framed the controversy as a reaction to his bold leadership rather than a legitimate concern about protocol breaches.

However, the White House’s dismissive tone has done little to quell public and political unease. Social media platforms, including X, have been abuzz with reactions, with some users praising Hegseth’s outsider approach and others condemning his apparent disregard for security norms. Posts on X have highlighted the administration’s combative stance, with one user noting, “The White House is digging in, but the leaks keep coming.”

Hegseth’s Controversial Tenure

Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army veteran, has been a polarizing figure since his appointment as defense secretary. His inclusion of family members and personal associates in official discussions has drawn particular scrutiny. Reports that Jennifer Rauchet participated in meetings with foreign leaders have raised eyebrows, given her lack of formal government credentials. These incidents have fueled perceptions of cronyism within the Pentagon, further complicating Hegseth’s leadership.

The Signal chat controversy is not Hegseth’s first brush with criticism. In February 2025, he sparked debate by suggesting that Ukraine cede territory to Russia to achieve peace, a stance that drew condemnation from NATO allies. His remarks during the White House Easter Egg Roll, where he reportedly shouted at a reporter, have also been cited as evidence of his combative style, which some argue undermines the decorum expected of a defense secretary.