Pentagon in turmoil: Hegseth's signal chats spark national security concerns

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is under intense scrutiny following revelations that he shared sensitive military planning details in a second Signal group chat — this one conducted from his personal phone and involving his wife, brother, and legal counsel. Sources familiar with the chat tell CNN it included highly specific plans for military operations targeting Houthi militants in Yemen.

The Signal chat, created during Hegseth’s turbulent confirmation hearings, was intended as a private backchannel for close allies. However, Hegseth continued using the channel even after his confirmation, despite the sensitive nature of the discussions. At least a dozen individuals were part of the group, raising serious questions about operational security.

Both Hegseth’s brother, Phil, and his lawyer, Tim Parlatore, hold roles within the Department of Defense. However, his wife, Jennifer — who was reportedly included in meetings with foreign dignitaries early in Hegseth’s tenure — does not hold a government position or security clearance. It remains unclear whether all chat participants had the required clearance to access the information shared.

The Pentagon’s spokesperson, Sean Parnell, issued a statement on social media asserting that “there was no classified information in any Signal chat.” Still, the situation has triggered a broader internal investigation, and is already under review by the Pentagon’s acting inspector general. The New York Times was the first to report on the existence of the second Signal chat.

A Leadership Crisis at the Defense Department

The fallout from Hegseth’s actions has escalated rapidly, igniting chaos within the highest levels of the Defense Department. Just last week, Hegseth abruptly fired three senior officials: Dan Caldwell (his top adviser), Darin Selnick (deputy chief of staff), and Colin Carroll (chief of staff to the deputy defense secretary). His longtime aide and chief of staff, Joe Kasper, was reassigned and later resigned.

The turmoil has sparked accusations of internal backstabbing, paranoia, and a lack of clear leadership — concerns that have spilled into public view. Former press secretary John Ullyot, who resigned earlier this month, called the Pentagon’s current state “a full-blown meltdown.”

“It’s been a month of total chaos,” Ullyot told CNN. “From leaks of sensitive operational plans to mass firings, the dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president — who deserves better from his senior leadership.”

Sources indicate that Hegseth, frustrated by ongoing leaks to the media, launched an internal leak investigation in March. The probe reportedly included polygraph tests and accusations directed at his inner circle. The leaks involved strategic military planning for regions such as the Middle East and the Panama Canal, and even details from a classified China briefing given to Elon Musk.

The leaks and media coverage, including a critical report from The New York Times questioning the success of recent military strikes in Yemen, reportedly caused Hegseth to suspect that top officials — perhaps even his own advisers — were undermining him from within.

At one point, Hegseth allegedly called for an FBI investigation into the leaks, a move some aides discouraged given the active inspector general probe already underway.

Mounting Backlash from Within

Caldwell, Selnick, and Carroll released a joint statement expressing disappointment over their dismissal and rejecting any claims of wrongdoing.

“Unnamed Pentagon officials have slandered our character with baseless attacks on our way out the door,” they wrote. “All three of us served our country honorably in uniform — for two of us, this included deployments to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We understand the importance of information security and worked every day to protect it.”

Ullyot backed them, stating there is no evidence they leaked classified information. He also cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Pentagon’s internal investigation, noting that none of the three fired officials had been subjected to polygraph testing as of Sunday.

“Unfortunately, Hegseth’s team has developed a habit of spreading flat-out, easily debunked falsehoods anonymously about their colleagues on their way out the door,” Ullyot said.

Political Fallout and National Security Risks

The implications of Hegseth’s alleged missteps extend beyond internal politics. With the Pentagon currently overseeing high-stakes military operations in the Middle East, including efforts to counter Houthi attacks and prepare for potential escalation between Israel and Iran, leadership instability could have serious consequences for U.S. readiness and foreign policy.

Despite public interest and mounting pressure, Hegseth has remained silent on the issue. He declined to appear at a scheduled press event last Thursday, where he was set to welcome his French counterpart. An aide appeared in his place.

The investigation into the Signal chats — and broader questions about decision-making and loyalty at the Defense Department — is ongoing. For now, the Biden administration faces growing criticism over its handling of internal Pentagon strife and the potential compromise of national security protocols.

As the United States heads deeper into a volatile election year, the unfolding drama inside the Pentagon threatens to become a defining issue not just for the Defense Department, but for the entire administration.