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Trump Defends Defence Secretary Amid Second Signal Chat Leak on Yemen Airstrikes
President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid fresh controversy over a second leaked Signal group chat revealing sensitive military details about U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. The newly surfaced group included Hegseth’s wife, brother, and personal attorney—none of whom hold senior Pentagon roles.
The leak has reignited concerns about national security protocols at the Department of Defence, especially as it comes just weeks after an earlier breach where a journalist was accidentally added to a high-level Signal chat among Trump administration officials.
“Pete’s doing a great job,” Trump told reporters. “Everybody’s happy with him.”
Second Signal Chat Leak Raises Eyebrows
According to CBS News, which cited sources familiar with the communication, the second chat reportedly included flight schedules for U.S. F/A-18 Hornet jets targeting Houthi forces in Yemen. The chat, named “Defense | Team Huddle,”was allegedly created by Hegseth himself.
White House officials confirmed the existence of the chat but denied that classified information was shared. Still, critics argue that even unclassified but operational details, when mishandled, pose risks to personnel and mission integrity.
Unorthodox Participants: Who Was in the Chat?
Participants in the second Signal chat included:
- Jennifer Rauchet, Hegseth’s wife and a former Fox News producer
- Phil Hegseth, his brother
- Tim Parlatore, Hegseth’s personal lawyer
While Parlatore and Phil Hegseth reportedly hold Department of Defense roles, critics question why non-operational personnel needed access to strike information. Rauchet, with no formal defence title, has previously faced scrutiny for attending high-level meetings with foreign leaders.
Trump and Hegseth Deny Wrongdoing, Blame “Disgruntled Staff”
President Trump dismissed the controversy, suggesting the story stems from unhappy ex-employees:
“It’s the same old stuff from the media. Try finding something new,” Trump told reporters. “Disgruntled employees” are to blame, he added—a theory echoed by Hegseth.
The Defense Secretary fired three top officials just last week for what he claimed was an “unauthorized disclosure.” Critics argue the move was retaliatory. During a tense exchange outside the White House, Hegseth doubled down:
“What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out.”
Signal Security vs. Official Protocol
Though Signal provides end-to-end encryption, experts say national defence communications should occur via secure, government-regulated platforms, not third-party messaging apps. Former defence officials caution that even encrypted messages can become vulnerabilities if shared improperly.
“Encrypted or not, operational information should stay within official channels,” one former official told Politico.
Context: U.S. Airstrikes on Yemen and the Houthi Threat
The Signal leaks come amid intensifying U.S. operations in Yemen, where Houthi forces have launched repeated attacks on commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
- Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted over a dozen vessels.
- Two merchant ships were sunk, a third seized, and four crew members killed.
- Houthis claim their actions are in support of Palestinians amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Last week’s U.S. airstrike on a Yemeni oil terminal reportedly killed 74 people and injured over 170, according to Houthi health authorities.
Mounting Criticism from Within the Pentagon
Internal strife within the Department of Defense is growing. Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot, who resigned last week, wrote in Politico that the department under Hegseth is in “total chaos.”
“The dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president—who deserves better from his senior leadership,” Ullyot wrote.
He denied that the fired officials were responsible for leaks, accusing Hegseth’s team of spreading “flat-out falsehoods.”
White House, Allies Defend Hegseth and Trump
Despite the backlash, the White House continues to stand by Hegseth, stating again that “no classified information was ever shared.” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell took to X (formerly Twitter), blasting the “Trump-hating media” for trying to “destroy anyone committed to the president’s agenda.”
Key Takeaways:
- Trump defends Defence Secretary Hegseth after reports of a second Signal chat leak.
- The chat reportedly contained sensitive operational details about airstrikes in Yemen.
- Participants included non-military family and legal associates, raising security concerns.
- Hegseth and Trump blame “disgruntled employees” for the leaks.
- Critics, including former Pentagon officials, warn of increasing dysfunction inside the Department of Defence.