Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense

Defense
Hegseth at an Operation Epic Fury Press Briefing, 2026
Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense
January 25, 2025 – present
PartyRepublican
Nominated byDonald Trump
SeatThe Pentagon

Seal of the United States Secretary of Defense

Pete Hegseth has served as the United States secretary of defense since 2025.

History

Nomination and confirmation

On November 12, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump named Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of defense,[1] after Arkansas senator Tom Cotton announced he would not serve as secretary.[2] Hegseth subsequently ended his contract with Fox News.[3] The selection of Hegseth was seen as a sign that Trump sought to appoint a loyalist to lead the Department of Defense,[a] and his relative lack of experience surprised officials in the department.[b] According to Vanity Fair, Trump's transition team became aware the following day of a sexual assault allegation involving Hegseth that occurred in Monterey, California, seven years prior;[10] The Washington Post reported that senior officials on the team were surprised by the allegation and reconsidered his nomination.[11] Despite the allegation, Trump defended Hegseth[12] and several Republican senators indicated that they would support him.[13] His nomination was threatened by an article from Jane Mayer in The New Yorker detailing alleged financial mismanagement and alcohol issues while leading his veterans' groups,[14] while an NBC News article reported that his drinking habits concerned his colleagues at Fox News;[15] The New York Times reported in December that Trump had begun to consider Florida governor Ron DeSantis as an alternative.[16]

In an effort to retain his nomination amid controversies, Hegseth began a campaign that month. Advisors to Trump privately sought to persuade him to support Hegseth in fear that it would embolden recalcitrant Republican senators, while he could not garner support for DeSantis, according to The New York Times. In addition, the Times reported that Vice President-elect JD Vance had led a group of Republicans, including Donald Trump Jr., former Trump aide Steve Bannon, political activist Charlie Kirk, and Breitbart News reporter Matt Boyle, to support Hegseth's nomination.[17] Trump allies took a direct approach to addressing the controversies, including an interview with Megyn Kelly that impressed Trump.[18] Hegseth appeared at the United States Capitol in December;[19] Trump publicly reaffirmed his support for Hegseth afterwards.[20] The visit gave Iowa senator Joni Ernst, who had threatened his nomination, a positive impression of Hegseth.[21]

Hegseth appeared before the Senate Committee on Armed Services on January 14. He positioned himself as a "warrior" while denying the allegations and his previous claims that women should not serve in combat roles. Hegseth was criticized by Democrats over allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and alcohol issues.[22] Rhode Island senator Jack Reed, the committee's ranking member, noted that Hegseth had used the term "jagoff" in his book The War on Warriors (2024) to derogatorily refer to a Judge Advocate General officer who reprimanded him on the use of rocket-propelled grenades.[23] He did not answer a question from Virginia senator Tim Kaine on whether or not sexual assault, drinking, or infidelity were disqualifying.[24] The Committee on Armed Services voted to advance his nomination 14–13 along party lines on January 20, after Trump was inaugurated.[25] Hegseth's former sister-in-law, Danielle, sent an affidavit to senators alleging that he was abusive to his second wife, Samantha, and that he had issues with over-consumption of alcohol.[26] Hegseth denied having a drinking problem and pledged not to drink if confirmed.[27]

On January 24, Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate in a 51–50 vote. Every Republican senator, with the exception of Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitch McConnell, voted to confirm him, while every Democratic senator opposed his nomination, leading to a 50–50 vote. Vance cast a tie-breaking vote to confirm Hegseth.[28] His confirmation was threatened by Senator Thom Tillis, who told Senate majority leader John Thune the day before that he would not vote for Hegseth on the basis of his sexual assault allegations. Persuaded by Vance,[29] Tillis expressed support for Hegseth on X minutes before the vote.[30] His confirmation was the second in US history to be decided by a vice president, after Betsy DeVos's confirmation for secretary of education in 2017.[31]

Initial actions

Hegseth was sworn in as the secretary of defense by JD Vance on January 25.[32] Hegseth identified several priorities for the Department of Defense, including to "revive the warrior ethos", restore trust in the military, redevelop the nation's industrial base, ease the department's process to purchase weaponry, defend the US domestically, engage with Indo-Pacific to deter China, and support Trump's effort to "end wars responsibly"—including the Russo-Ukrainian War and the Middle Eastern crisis.[33] In a call to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a day after being sworn in, Hegseth said that the United States was "fully committed" to the security of Israel.[34] Hegseth revoked the security clearance and detail of Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and chief of staff of the Army who later became a critic of Trump, and ordered an inspector general inquiry into Milley's tenure as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the inspector general of the Department of Defense, Robert Storch, was removed from his position when Trump dismissed several inspectors general.[35] According to The Washington Post, the Department of Defense Education Activity began removing certain books on immigration and sexuality.[36]

Hegseth visited the Mexico–United States border with Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, in El Paso, Texas, in February, where he stated that the federal government intended to gain complete "operational control of the southern border".[37] He renamed Fort Liberty to Fort Bragg, its original name honoring the Confederate general Braxton Bragg. The military base was now ostensibly renamed for Roland L. Bragg, a previously obscure soldier who served in World War II.[38] In a meeting before the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters, he opposed NATO membership for Ukraine and said that returning Ukraine's borders prior to the annexation of Crimea by Russia was "unrealistic".[39] The Department of Defense invited Jack Posobiec, an alt-right political activist to accompany Hegseth, according to The Washington Post.[40] Hegseth moderated his comments the following day, stating that it would be possible for Ukraine to join NATO given Trump's discretion.[41]

In February 2025, Hegseth ordered officials within the Department of Defense to reduce funding on most initiatives[42] and began a purge from within the department,[43] firing three top judge advocate generals and Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations.[44][45] Hegseth stated that "we want lawyers who give sound constitutional advice" rather than "roadblocks to anything".[46] In March, he ordered US Cyber Command to halt offensive operations against Russia, in an apparent effort to encourage Russian president Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the Russo-Ukrainian War.[47] Also that month, the Defense Department canceled 91 of its research studies, including those on climate change impacts and social trends, while Hegseth later stated that the Defense Department "does not do climate change crap."[48] Separately, the Trump administration instructed Hegseth to "immediately" present "credible military options to ensure fair and unfettered US military and commercial access to the Panama Canal".[49]

Information disclosures and use of Signal

Screenshots from the leaked Signal chat showing Pete Hegseth discussing plans for the March–May 2025 United States attacks in Yemen

In March 2025, Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, reported that he had been accidentally included by Mike Waltz in a Signal group chat where Hegseth shared information about attacks in Yemen hours before they occurred.[50] The discussions involved US officials, including Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio. According to The New York Times, several officials with the Department of Defense expressed shock at the incident, while various former national security officials noted the potential for espionage amid ongoing efforts by China to obtain telecommunications records. A spokesperson for the National Security Council confirmed Goldberg's report and the authenticity of the messages. Hegseth rejected that war plans were shared and called Goldberg "deceitful" and a "discredited so-called journalist".[51][52] Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said no classified information was shared and CIA director John Ratcliffe said Signal was authorized for the group chat.[53]

The incident distressed Hegseth, who threatened to use a polygraph on Christopher W. Grady, the acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[54] Goldberg later published most of the Signal chat.[55] The chat showed that Hegseth posted information including the launch times of F-18 aircraft, MQ-9 drones and Tomahawk missiles, as well as the time when the F-18 aircraft would reach their targets, and the time when the bombs would land.[56][57] Hegseth commented on the chat, writing that there were: "No names. No targets. No locations. No units. No routes. No sources. No methods. And no classified information".[58] The incident led to criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.[59] After the Signal leak, media outlet Der Spiegel searched the Internet using a commercial information provider and password leaks, which revealed Hegseth's personal mobile number, personal email address and its password, and WhatsApp account.[60]

The Wall Street Journal reported that Hegseth had brought his wife to two meetings with foreign defense officials in which sensitive information was discussed, one meeting in February, at Brussels, with NATO officials, and the other in March, at the Pentagon, with British Defense Secretary John Healey.[61] Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported in March that Hegseth's brother, Phil, was listed by the Trump administration as a senior adviser to Hegseth, accompanying Hegseth to meetings, including in Congress, and on official foreign trips. Phil, who previously worked in podcasting and media relations, was confirmed by Hegseth's office to be working in the Pentagon as a Department of Homeland Security liaison to the Department of Defense.[62] That month, The Washington Post detailed a memorandum written by Hegseth orienting the department towards deterring a potential invasion of Taiwan and supporting homeland defense by "assuming risk" in Europe. The document contained passages that were identical to those present in Project 2025.[63]

According to The Washington Post, Hegseth had Signal installed on his computer to circumvent cellular communication issues and to more easily communicate with other Trump officials.[64] CNN later reported that Ricky Buria, a former aide to secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, had set up Signal on Hegseth's computer.[65] According to the Associated Press, the computer was on an unsecured internet line that was not using one of the Department of Defense's IP addresses.[66] In April, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General announced an inquiry into Hegseth's disclosure of classified information in the Signal chat.[67] That month, The New York Times reported that Hegseth had shared details on the attack in a second Signal chat with his wife, brother, and personal lawyer.[68] At the White House Easter Egg Roll, Hegseth suggested that the revelations were a coordinated smear campaign.[69] John Ullyot, the former spokesman for the Department of Defense, wrote in a Politico Magazine opinion piece hours later that the department was in a "full-blown meltdown" and warned that Hegseth was at risk of losing his position.[70]

According to NPR, the White House began looking for a secretary of defense to replace Hegseth the following day.[71] Nonetheless, he retained support from Trump,[72] who privately did not seek to relitigate a grueling Senate confirmation, enjoyed Hegseth's presence and appearance on television, and believed that firing him would lead to questions over Waltz's retention, while he publicly associated the controversy to "disgruntled employees" and boasted of Hegseth's work.[73][74] Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, stated that "the entire Pentagon is working against" Hegseth.[75] Representative Don Bacon became the first Republican House member to urge that Hegseth be fired.[76] At least five political appointees within the Department of Defense resigned by April 24.[54] That day, Joe Kesper, Hegseth's chief of staff, resigned, but stated that he would remain at the department as a special government employee.[77] The firings and resignations led to a crisis within the Department of Defense that was described as a "free-for-all" by one employee who spoke to Politico.[78]

Continued tenure

In April 2025, Hegseth issued a directive to the secretary of the Army ordering on a sweeping overhaul, prioritizing defending the homeland and deterring China in the Indo-Pacific. Among others, the directive instructing a consolidated budget lines in unmanned systems, counter-drone systems and electronic warfare, force structure changes and expanded use of other transaction agreements. The directive also instructed to downsize or close redundant headquarters as well as merging Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command, and merging four-star headquarters Army Forces Command with Army North and Army South into a single headquarters focused on homeland defense[79] as well as the elimination of at least 20% of four-star general positions to enhance efficiency and operational effectiveness.[80] Hegseth also signed a memorandum to reduce the Department of Defense's civilian workforce, aiming to eliminate duplicative efforts and excessive bureaucracy. The initiative includes offering voluntary early retirement and deferred resignation programs to incentivize top performers and enhance efficiency.[81] That month, Hegseth received criticism from some Senate Democrats over alleged civilian deaths in the Yemen strikes.[82] Hegseth reduced the department's Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which aims to prevent civilian casualties in war zones, from 40 to 9 personnel in 2025.[83]

Notes

  1. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[4][5][6][7]
  2. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ Ryan, Missy (November 12, 2024). "Trump taps Fox News host and Army vet Pete Hegseth as defense secretary". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  2. ↑ Ward, Alexander; Salama, Vivian (November 12, 2024). "Trump Names Fox News Host Pete Hegseth to Head Pentagon, John Ratcliffe for CIA". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024.
  3. ↑ Hill, Michael (November 13, 2024). "Pete Hegseth exits Fox after being announced as Trump's pick to lead DoD". NewscastStudio. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  4. ↑ Al-Rikabi, Ramsey (November 12, 2024). "Trump to Nominate Fox News Host Hegseth as Defense Secretary". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  5. ↑ Ward, Alexander (November 12, 2024). "Loyalty Is Common Thread as Trump Fills Foreign Policy, Immigration Jobs". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  6. ↑ Zhou, Li (November 14, 2024). "Trump is staffing up his White House with loyalists". Vox. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  7. ↑ Swan, Jonathan; Haberman, Maggie (November 16, 2024). "Under the Chandelier at Mar-a-Lago, Trump Makes Picks at Breakneck Speed". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  8. ↑ Gould, Joie; Gramer, Robbie; McLeary, Paul; O'Brien, Connor; Destch, Jack (November 12, 2024). "'Who the f--k is this guy?': Defense world reacts to Trump's surprise Pentagon pick". Politico. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  9. ↑ Detsch, Jack (November 13, 2024). "Pentagon officials alarmed over Hegseth's lack of experience: 'Would you trust him to run Walmart'?". Politico. Archived from the original on November 14, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  10. ↑ Sherman, Gabriel (November 14, 2024). "Trump's Defense Secretary Pick Pete Hegseth Said to Face Previous Sexual Misconduct Allegation". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on November 15, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  11. ↑ Kranish, Michael; Dawsey, Josh; O'Connell, Jonathan; Lamothe, Dan; Hudson, John (November 15, 2024). "Trump team weighs Pentagon pick after sexual assault allegation surfaces". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 15, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  12. ↑ Haberman, Maggie (November 17, 2024). "Trump Stands by Defense Pick Who Says Encounter With Woman Was Not Sexual Assault". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 17, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  13. ↑ Bender, Michael (November 21, 2024). "Republicans Rally Behind Pete Hegseth Amid Sexual Assault Accusations". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 22, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  14. ↑ Mayer, Jane (December 1, 2024). "Pete Hegseth's Secret History". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  15. ↑ Melas, Chloe; Kube, Courney; Fitzpatrick, Sarah (December 3, 2024). "Pete Hegseth's drinking worried colleagues at Fox News, sources tell NBC News". NBC News. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  16. ↑ Haberman, Maggie; Swan, Jonathan; Shear, Michael (December 4, 2024). "As Hegseth Vows to Fight, Trump Considers DeSantis for Defense Secretary". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  17. ↑ Swan, Jonathan; Haberman, Maggie (December 12, 2024). "Power, Intimidation and the Resurrection of Trump's Support for Hegseth". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  18. ↑ Bade, Rachael; Burns, Dasha (January 28, 2025). "How Trump's orbit used blunt force to squeeze Hegseth through". Politico. Archived from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  19. ↑ Demirjian, Karoun (December 5, 2024). "Defiant Hegseth Fights to Keep Pentagon Bid Alive, as Votes Remain Uncertain". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  20. ↑ LeVine, Marianne; McDaniel, Justine; Edwards, Jonathan (December 6, 2024). "Trump defends Hegseth as his path to confirmation remains uncertain". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  21. ↑ Kane, Paul; Goodwin, Liz; Alfaro, Mariana (December 9, 2024). "Key Republican senator reports 'good discussions' with Pete Hegseth". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  22. ↑ Cooper, Helene; Demirjian, Karoun; Schmitt, Eric; LaFraniere, Sharon; Ismay, John (January 14, 2025). "Republicans Embrace Hegseth as Democrats Question His Fitness to Lead Pentagon". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  23. ↑ Kelly, Kate (January 14, 2025). "Hegseth Spars with Senator Over What He Meant by Slang Term". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  24. ↑ Demirjian, Karoun (January 14, 2025). "Hegseth Won't Say Whether Sexual Assault, Drinking or Adultery Is Disqualifying". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  25. ↑ Hauslohner, Abigail (January 20, 2025). "Rubio confirmed as Hegseth, Ratcliffe pass key thresholds". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  26. ↑ Tsirkin, Julie; Fitzpatrick, Sara; Kube, Courtney (January 21, 2025). "Senators receive affidavit containing new allegations against Pete Hegseth, who denies the claims". NBC News. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  27. ↑ Wong, Scott; Thorp, Frank V; Shabad, Rebecca (December 4, 2024). "Trump's embattled defense pick Hegseth vows to fight on, says he won't drink if confirmed". NBC News. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  28. ↑ Hauslohner, Abigail; Goodwin, Liz; Kornfield, Meryl (January 25, 2025). "Pete Hegseth confirmed as defense secretary after Vance breaks tie". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  29. ↑ Bade, Rachael (February 8, 2025). "JD Vance Aced His First Test. The Next One Will Be Tougher". Politico Magazine. Archived from the original on February 9, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  30. ↑ Wise, Lindsay; Gillum, Jack; McGraw, Meredith (February 3, 2025). "The 24-Hour Blitz That Flipped One Senator's Vote From No to Yes on Hegseth". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  31. ↑ Karni, Annie; Cameron, Chris (January 24, 2025). "Hegseth Is Second Cabinet Secretary in History to Advance on Tiebreaker Vote". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  32. ↑ Pecorin, Allison (January 25, 2025). "Hegseth sworn in as defense secretary after narrow Senate vote". ABC News. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  33. ↑ Schmitt, Eric (January 25, 2025). "Pete Hegseth, New Defense Secretary, Outlines Pentagon's Priorities". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  34. ↑ Schmitt, Eric (January 26, 2025). "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Sunday, in what is believed to be his first call with a world leader since being sworn in on Saturday". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 4, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  35. ↑ Lamothe, Dan; Ryan, Missy; Horton, Alex (January 28, 2025). "Hegseth readies actions against Trump foe Mark Milley". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  36. ↑ Lamothe, Dan (February 7, 2025). "Trump DEI crackdown targets books in Pentagon schools". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  37. ↑ Mata III, Reyes; Schmitt, Eric (January 25, 2025). "Defense Secretary Vows to Use Thousands of Active-Duty Troops to Secure Border". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  38. ↑ Ismay, John (February 11, 2025). "Hegseth Renames Fort Liberty to Fort Bragg". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  39. ↑ Bertrand, Natasha; Sebastian, Clare; Britzky, Haley (February 12, 2025). "Hegseth rules out NATO membership for Ukraine and says Europe must be responsible for country's security". CNN. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  40. ↑ Lamothe, Dan (February 13, 2025). "Hegseth team invites far-right activist Jack Posobiec on overseas trip". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  41. ↑ Lamothe, Dan; DeYoung, Karen (February 13, 2025). "Hegseth softens stance on Ukraine's NATO goal as Trump doubles down". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  42. ↑ Cooper, Helene; Schmitt, Eric (February 19, 2025). "Hegseth Calls for 8 Percent Annual Defense Cut". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  43. ↑ Ryan, Missy; Lamothe, Dan (February 21, 2025). "Trump ousts Joint Chiefs chairman, other leaders in major Pentagon shake-up". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  44. ↑ Ismay, John (February 21, 2025). "Hegseth Fires Navy's Top Officer". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  45. ↑ Jaffe, Greg (February 22, 2025). "In Pursuit of a 'Warrior Ethos,' Hegseth Targets Military's Top Lawyers". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  46. ↑ Fortinsky, Sarah (February 23, 2025). "Hegseth responds to blowback over Friday night Pentagon purge". The Hill. Archived from the original on February 23, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  47. ↑ Barnes, Julian; Sanger, David; Cooper, Helene (March 2, 2025). "Hegseth Orders Pentagon to Stop Offensive Cyberoperations Against Russia". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2025. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  48. ↑ Weise, Elizabeth; Pulver, Dinah (March 11, 2025). "Defense Department 'does not do climate change crap,' Hegseth says". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  49. ↑ Cohen, Zachary; Liebermann, Oren (March 14, 2025). "Pentagon tasked with providing 'military options' to ensure US access to Panama Canal, memo says". CNN. Archived from the original on March 13, 2025. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
  50. ↑ Goldberg, Jeffrey (2025). "The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on March 24, 2025.
  51. ↑ Cooper, Helene; Schmitt, Eric (March 24, 2025). "Officials Included Journalist in Group Chat on Yemen Attack Plans in Extraordinary Breach". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 24, 2025. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  52. ↑ Lamothe, Dan; Ryan, Missy (March 25, 2025). "Hegseth faces renewed scrutiny after Signal chat disclosures". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 25, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  53. ↑ Beitsch, Rebecca (March 25, 2025). "Gabbard, Ratcliffe contend Signal chat did not include classified information". The Hill. Archived from the original on March 29, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  54. 1 2 Youssef, Nancy; Ward, Alexander; Bergengruen, Vera (April 24, 2025). "Polygraph Threats, Leaks and Infighting: The Chaos Inside Hegseth's Pentagon". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  55. ↑ Debusmann, Bernd (March 26, 2025). "Three sensitive messages from Yemen strike Signal chat unpacked and explained". BBC. Archived from the original on March 26, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  56. ↑ Abels, Grace; Sherman, Amy (March 26, 2025). "Hegseth says leaked Signal group text didn't have 'war plans'. But screenshots show attack details". Politifact. Archived from the original on March 26, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  57. ↑ Robertson, Noah; Losey, Stephen; Shane, Leo (March 27, 2025). "'Obviously classified': Experts say Hegseth chat leaks invited danger". Defense News. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  58. ↑ Fields, Ashleigh (March 26, 2025). "Fox's Jennifer Griffin: Info Hegseth sent 'classified' and meant only for secure channels". The Hill. Archived from the original on March 27, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  59. ↑ Gordon, Michael; Youssef, Nancy; Wise, Lindsay (March 26, 2025). "Hegseth Comes Under Scrutiny for Texting Strike Details as Fallout Grows". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on March 27, 2025. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  60. ↑ Beuth, Patrick; Diehl, Jörg; Höfner, Roman; Lehberger, Roman; Röhreke, Friederike; Schmid, Fidelius (March 27, 2025). "Private Data and Passwords of Senior U.S. Security Officials Found Online". Der Spiegel. Archived from the original on March 27, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  61. ↑ Long, Katherine; Colchester, Max; Michaels, Daniel; Wise, Lindsay (March 28, 2025). "Hegseth Brought His Wife to Sensitive Meetings With Foreign Military Officials". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on March 29, 2025. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  62. ↑ Copp, Tara (March 28, 2025). "Hegseth's younger brother is serving in a key role as liaison and senior adviser inside the Pentagon". Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 28, 2025. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  63. ↑ Horton, Alex; Natanson, Hannah (March 29, 2025). "Secret Pentagon memo on China, homeland has Heritage fingerprints". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 29, 2025. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  64. ↑ Lamothe, Dan (April 24, 2025). "Hegseth had Signal messaging app installed on an office computer". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  65. ↑ Bertrand, Natasha; Britzky, Haley; Tapper, Jake (April 24, 2025). "'He gets him what he needs' Hegseth's new favorite adviser helped set up Signal on one of secretary's computers at Pentagon". CNN. Archived from the original on April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  66. ↑ Copp, Tara (April 24, 2025). "Hegseth had an unsecured internet line set up in his office to connect to Signal, AP sources say". Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  67. ↑ Horton, Alex; Lamothe, Dan (April 3, 2025). "Inspector general will scrutinize Hegseth's disclosures in Signal chat". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  68. ↑ Jaffe, Greg; Schmitt, Eric; Haberman, Maggie (April 20, 2025). "Hegseth Said to Have Shared Attack Details in Second Signal Chat". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 20, 2025. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  69. ↑ Lamothe, Dan (April 20, 2025). "Hegseth team gets new jolt with more allegations involving Signal app". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  70. ↑ McLeary, Paul (April 20, 2025). "Former Pentagon official warns department's dysfunction could topple Hegseth". Politico. Archived from the original on April 20, 2025. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  71. ↑ Bowman, Tom (April 21, 2025). "The White House is looking to replace Pete Hegseth as defense secretary". NPR. Archived from the original on April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  72. ↑ Lamothe, Dan (April 21, 2025). "Pete Hegseth, isolated and defiant, has Trump's backing for now". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  73. ↑ McGraw, Meridith; Ward, Alexander (April 21, 2025). "Trump Stands by Hegseth After Phone Call About Newly Revealed Signal Chat". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  74. ↑ Weaver, Al (April 23, 2025). "Senate Republican: Hegseth is 'going to need some help around him'". The Hill. Archived from the original on April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  75. ↑ Gould, Joie; O'Brien, Connor; Friedman, Amanda (April 21, 2025). "'White House backs Hegseth, Leavitt says 'entire Pentagon' is resisting him". Politico. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  76. ↑ Bade, Rachael (April 21, 2025). "'An amateur person': GOP Rep. Bacon says Hegseth should go". Politico. Archived from the original on April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  77. ↑ Lippman, Daniel; Detsch, Jack (April 24, 2025). "Controversial Hegseth chief of staff to leave Pentagon". Politico. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  78. ↑ McLeary, Paul; Detsch, Jack (April 24, 2025). "Pentagon leadership vacuum overwhelms Hegseth's office: 'It's a free-for-all'". Politico. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
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