Defense Secretary Under Fire: Did Pete Hegseth Leak Sensitive War Plans?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under scrutiny after allegedly sharing sensitive details of U.S. strikes on Yemen in a Signal group chat. Despite denials from Hegseth and assurances from Trump's administration, concerns remain about potential classified information leaks, prompting potential Senate investigation and bipartisan criticism.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces heightened scrutiny after accusations emerged regarding his alleged sharing of sensitive information concerning U.S. military operations in Yemen. The controversy follows a report by The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, which detailed Hegseth's participation in a Signal app chat with top national security advisors. Within the group, Hegseth reportedly discussed military targets and strategies for the Yemen operation.

Despite assertions from President Donald Trump's administration that no classified information was compromised, the potential mishandling of sensitive materials has raised alarms among Democrats and former U.S. officials. During a press briefing, Hegseth denied the allegations, stating, "Nobody was texting war plans," while Trump's intelligence heads suggested that he determines what constitutes classified information.

The unfolding scenario has prompted calls for further investigation, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicating that the Senate Armed Services Committee may examine the situation. Meanwhile, bipartisan voices, including Republican Representative Don Bacon, have urged transparency and accountability to prevent future mishaps.

(With inputs from agencies.)