Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed back strongly on Monday against media reports and criticism surrounding renewed controversy over the Signal messaging app. Speaking to reporters at the White House Easter Egg Roll, he dismissed claims that he participated in a second Signal chat containing sensitive military information about operations in Yemen, calling the reports inaccurate and based on anonymous sources.
Hegseth criticized what he described as “disgruntled former employees” and said the coverage reflected a pattern of politically motivated leaks aimed at damaging reputations. He also emphasized that he remains fully aligned with President Donald Trump and said he had recently spoken with him, adding that they were “on the same page” regarding defense policy and leadership priorities.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also rejected reports suggesting the administration was considering replacing Hegseth, calling them false and reaffirming Trump’s continued support. The White House rapid response team similarly condemned the reporting as misleading.
The controversy originated from earlier reports involving Signal chats in which senior officials allegedly discussed military actions against Houthi forces. One incident involved journalist Jeffrey Goldberg being mistakenly added to a group chat, raising security concerns after messages were later published.
Despite political criticism and calls for accountability from some lawmakers, the administration continues to stand behind Hegseth, with Trump defending both the operation’s success and his defense secretary’s role.
