NEWS STORY : Second ‘Signalgate’ Scandal as US Defence Secretary Hegseth Alleged to Have Leaked Sensitive Military Information via Signal
STORY
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing renewed scrutiny following revelations that he shared sensitive military information in a second Signal chat group, intensifying concerns over national security protocols within the Trump administration. The newly uncovered chat, named “Defense | Team Huddle” reportedly included Hegseth’s wife, brother, personal lawyer and senior staff members. In this group, Hegseth allegedly disseminated detailed flight plans for military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, raising alarms about the potential exposure of classified information to individuals without proper security clearances.
This incident follows a prior controversy where Hegseth inadvertently shared similar sensitive details in another Signal chat that mistakenly included a journalist. The recurrence of such lapses has led to bipartisan calls for accountability. Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has demanded the resignations of Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, criticising their failure to adhere to basic security protocols.
The Trump administration has downplayed the severity of the leaks, with officials asserting that no classified information was compromised. However, the Pentagon’s Inspector General has initiated a review into the use of Signal for official communications and legal experts have raised concerns about potential violations of federal laws governing the handling of sensitive information. Hegseth is expected to make a statement on the matter as concerns grow about the leadership of the US military.
