The White House is under scrutiny following reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have compromised military operational security by sharing sensitive information via an unsecured messaging platform. While President Donald Trump continues to express full confidence in Hegseth, internal discussions about a potential replacement are reportedly underway, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the situation.
At the center of the controversy is Hegseth’s use of the Signal messaging app to disseminate classified and time-sensitive military information. The reported messages included detailed plans for U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Recipients of the information included Hegseth’s wife, brother, and legal counsel—none of whom hold security clearances.
Compounding the situation, a separate Signal thread involving top White House officials also allegedly contained strike information and mistakenly included a journalist. This lapse occurred hours before air operations commenced, raising serious concerns about potential compromise and risk to U.S. personnel. Houthi forces have recently shot down two American drones, underscoring the volatile environment in which these disclosures took place.
President Trump is unlikely to dismiss Secretary Hegseth, but the state of affairs in his inner circle has troubled senior officials. Our latest with @jaketapper, @NatashaBertrand and @Kevinliptakcnn. https://t.co/fo44HQljZP
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) April 23, 2025
Despite growing backlash, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has reiterated that President Trump “stands strongly” behind Hegseth. Trump himself dismissed the accusations, calling concerns over the Signal messages a “waste of time,” and praised Hegseth’s performance, referencing the effectiveness of recent military actions.
Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing, attributing the reports to discontented former staffers. “It’s not going to work with me,” he told reporters, referencing four Pentagon advisers who recently resigned or were dismissed. Among them is former spokesperson John Ullyot, who later described the Department as suffering a “full-blown meltdown” due to internal disputes.
Three other advisers—Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick—were escorted out of the Pentagon and accused of leaking information. All three have denied the charges, emphasizing their service records and commitment to information security.
Critics argue that the real issue extends beyond messaging apps. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of the Armed Services Committee, directly questioned the wisdom of appointing Hegseth, a former television host with limited executive experience, to oversee the Department of Defense. “The ultimate responsibility here lies with President Trump,” she said, calling into question the decision-making behind Hegseth’s selection.
Despite public denials from the administration, sources confirm that the White House is exploring possible successors to Hegseth. However, official plans remain undeclared, and Hegseth continues to serve in his current capacity.
