Just minutes before a U.S. military strike on Houthi targets in Yemen, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly shared sensitive operational details via the Signal messaging app, raising new questions about potential security risks—even as the Pentagon insists no classified information was leaked.
In March 2025, U.S. Central Command prepared an airstrike against Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, NBC reported. As part of the standard protocol, Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla used a secure government system to brief Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the mission's timing and targets.
These details are considered highly sensitive, as premature disclosure could endanger American pilots and compromise operational success. However, despite prior warnings from aides about handling sensitive information cautiously, Hegseth relayed aspects of this secure briefing over the Signal app—a platform not authorized for classified communications.
Within 10 minutes of receiving the secure update, Hegseth shared elements of it with two Signal group chats. The Pentagon downplayed concerns, with spokesperson Sean Parnell insisting the messages were unclassified and aimed at media coordination.
Hegseth, too, defended his actions publicly, brushing off reports as politically motivated attempts to discredit him.
Despite rising bipartisan concern and public scrutiny—including calls for his resignation from Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican on the House Armed Services Committee—Hegseth retains strong support from President Trump.
The administration maintains that Hegseth is doing a "great job," and sources close to the president claim there are no current plans to remove him.
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