- Hegseth discussed Houthis strike details in family Signal group
- Pentagon inspector general reviewing encrypted app usage
- 3 former aides fired, claim 'baseless' accusations
- White House publicly supports embattled defense secretary
The Pentagon faces mounting questions about operational security after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly used Signal to share classified military plans with family members. New revelations indicate Hegseth messaged about imminent Yemen strikes in March 2025 through a private group chat including his wife Jennifer, brother, and personal attorney - none holding security clearances.
This marks the second known instance of sensitive discussions occurring on the encrypted platform. Earlier reports revealed a separate Signal thread where top Trump administration officials debated strike logistics, accidentally including a journalist from The Atlantic. Security analysts note such communications bypass official record-keeping systems required for classified material.
Three former Pentagon officials fired in connection with leak investigations - Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick - maintain their innocence. 'We've received no formal charges or explanation beyond vague references to unauthorized disclosures,' they stated jointly. Former NSA cybersecurity director Jane Hollister warns: 'Consumer-grade apps create permanent vulnerabilities. Every added participant exponentially increases breach risks.'
The Middle East Cybersecurity Center reported 37% surge in cyberattacks targeting military personnel's personal devices since January 2025. Regional experts suggest adversaries could exploit family member accounts as entry points. Hegseth's office declined to specify what security protocols governed his Signal use, stating only that 'all communications comply with DOD policies.'
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated President Trump's support during Monday's Fox News appearance: 'Secretary Hegseth revolutionized our military readiness. These anonymous attacks won't distract from his historic achievements.' However, House Oversight Committee Chairman Jamie Raskin announced plans to subpoena Signal message logs, calling the situation 'a constitutional crisis in secure communications.'
Military ethics professor Dr. Ellen Whitford notes: 'The 2016 Podesta email hacks proved family accounts become high-value targets. When spouses receive classified information, even inadvertently, it creates counterintelligence nightmares.' Recent Defense Department audits show only 12% of leadership completed 2024's updated operational security training.