Pete Hegseth forcefully rejected recent media reports on Monday, pushing back against journalists and what he called “disgruntled former employees” as scrutiny resurfaced over the use of the Signal messaging app. Speaking during the White House Easter Egg Roll, the defense secretary denied allegations that he took part in a second Signal conversation containing sensitive information about U.S. military operations in Yemen. He insisted the claims were false and reiterated his close alignment with President Donald Trump.
Hegseth criticized the use of anonymous sources in reporting, arguing that such stories are intended to undermine reputations rather than accurately reflect events. He said his focus remains on reforming the Department of Defense and strengthening military leadership. He also stated that he had spoken directly with Trump and confirmed they were fully aligned moving forward.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also dismissed reports from NPR suggesting that the administration had considered replacing Hegseth, calling them inaccurate. She reaffirmed that Trump continues to support the defense secretary, and the White House communications team similarly rejected the claims as misleading and based on unnamed sources.
The controversy originates from earlier reporting about Signal, including an incident in which a journalist was mistakenly added to a group chat discussing military planning involving Houthi forces. Additional reports further raised questions about other conversations, prompting political scrutiny. Despite criticism from some lawmakers, the administration maintains that no operational harm occurred and continues to publicly back Hegseth.
