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Hegseth Under Fire for Sharing Yemen Strike Details in Private Chat
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing new controversy after reportedly sharing sensitive military strike details through a private Signal chat. This group included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer—none of whom are cleared for such information.
The leaked details concern U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and raise serious concerns about national security, misuse of encrypted apps, and protocol violations at the highest level of defense leadership.
What Happened?
On March 15, Pete Hegseth used a private Signal group called “Defense | Team Huddle” to share attack details about the planned airstrikes in Yemen. Sources say the chat included:
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Flight schedules of F/A-18 Hornets
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Timing and details of strikes against Houthi militants
This message came around the same time he shared similar information in another Signal group, which mistakenly included the editor of The Atlantic.
Who Was in the Chat?
The “Team Huddle” Signal group was created by Hegseth before he was confirmed as defense secretary. It included about a dozen people from his inner circle, including:
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Jennifer Hegseth, his wife and former Fox News producer
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Phil Hegseth, his brother and a Pentagon liaison
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Tim Parlatore, his personal lawyer, recently recommissioned into the Navy
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Top aides, including Joe Kasper (chief of staff) and Sean Parnell (Pentagon spokesman)
Notably, this group did not include cabinet-level officials and was accessed using Hegseth’s personal phone, not his government-issued device.
Why This Is a Big Deal
Using personal apps like Signal for military operations is a major security risk. Though encrypted, these apps are not approved for sharing classified information.
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Hegseth had already been warned by staff not to use Signal for strike details.
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Experts say the kind of information shared—launch times, aircraft types—would be considered classified and potentially dangerous if leaked.
Pentagon and Government Response
The Pentagon initially declined to comment, but spokesman Sean Parnell later called the story “an old issue” and denied any classified info was shared.
The White House backed Hegseth, saying:
“No classified information was shared in any Signal chat.”
Still, the Pentagon’s acting inspector general, Steven Stebbins, has launched a formal review to see if Defense Department protocols were violated.
Political Reactions
Criticism from lawmakers has been sharp:
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Sen. Tammy Duckworth called Hegseth’s actions dangerous and reckless.
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Sen. Jack Reed called it a serious breach of trust.
Some are now openly questioning whether Hegseth should continue in his role.
Firings and Fallout
Three top aides—Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll—were recently fired over unrelated leak accusations.
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They were escorted out of the Pentagon.
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More resignations may follow as internal tensions grow.
Chief of Staff Joe Kasper, who helped lead the investigation, is also rumored to be considering departure.
Background on Hegseth
Pete Hegseth is a former Army officer and Fox News host. Though a combat veteran, he has no prior experience in high-level government roles.
Many of his closest advisers are veterans as well—but lack experience with government protocol, which has contributed to several internal missteps during his short tenure.
What's Next?
The Pentagon’s investigation continues, and it’s unclear whether the second Signal chat will be included in the final review.
Pressure is building from both parties for answers. As the controversy grows, so do questions about Hegseth’s leadership, judgment, and ability to secure sensitive military operations.
