U.S defence secretary Hegseth reportedly shared detailed ‘military plans ‘in second signal chat including his wife and brother

 U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed detailed military strategies concerning operations against the Houthis in Yemen through a private Signal chat that included his wife, brother, and lawyer, according to three sources familiar with the conversation who spoke to CNN.

This chat, initiated on Hegseth’s personal device during his contentious confirmation process to facilitate communication with close associates, continued to operate post-confirmation. The group comprised over a dozen members, some lacking security clearances, including his wife, Jennifer, who has participated in meetings with foreign leaders despite not holding an official role.

This revelation has intensified concerns regarding Hegseth’s decision-making during a time of considerable turmoil at the Pentagon. His former press secretary, John Ullyot, along with three recently dismissed senior officials—top adviser Dan Caldwell, deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to the deputy secretary of defense—have all expressed worries about the secretary’s leadership.

“It’s been a month of complete chaos at the Pentagon,” Ullyot said. “From leaks of sensitive operational plans to widespread firings, the dysfunction is a significant distraction for the president, who deserves more from his senior leadership.”

The second Signal chat is distinct from another group Hegseth utilized to discuss military planning with Cabinet officials, which is currently under investigation by the Department of Defense Inspector General. Similar to the first chat, the second one reportedly contained sensitive information regarding planned military actions against the Houthis.

While a Pentagon spokesperson asserted that no classified information was shared, concerns persist about the participation of individuals without security clearances, including Hegseth’s wife.

The recent disclosures come after a tumultuous period characterized by numerous dismissals, staff changes, and a series of internal investigations. Last week, Hegseth terminated Caldwell, Selnick, and Carroll, while also reassigning chief of staff Joe Kasper, who subsequently resigned. Sources indicate that these firings were driven more by rising tensions and conflicts within Hegseth’s office than by the purported leaks.

Concerns regarding information security intensified in March following various media reports about military strategies related to the Panama Canal and the Middle East, along with a classified briefing on China that involved Elon Musk. Disturbed by the leaks, Hegseth reportedly initiated an internal investigation that included polygraph tests.

Despite Hegseth’s suspicions regarding leaks, Ullyot and the terminated aides maintain their innocence. In a joint statement, they expressed their disappointment over the sudden dismissals, asserting that they “served the country honorably” and reaffirming their dedication to information security. 

They said, “At this time, we still have not been informed about the specific reasons for our investigation, whether an active investigation is ongoing, or if there was even a legitimate inquiry into ‘leaks’ in the first place.” Ullyot further challenged the Pentagon’s rationale for the firings, claiming that no polygraph tests were administered and that at least one of the dismissed aides was close to being cleared by investigators.

This internal turmoil arises at a crucial moment, as the Pentagon oversees a significant military operation in the Middle East, navigates tensions between Israel and Iran, and deploys troops and resources to the U.S. southern border. 

“Even staunch supporters of the secretary, like myself, must acknowledge that the past month has been a complete breakdown at the Pentagon—and it poses a serious issue for the administration,” Ullyot remarked. Despite the mounting criticism and concerns regarding his leadership, Hegseth has not yet publicly commented on the firings or the ongoing turmoil within his department. Last week, he missed a scheduled engagement with France’s defense minister, which raised further eyebrows.