Hegseth repeats claim that ‘nobody’s texting war plans’ after leak: ‘I know exactly what I’m doing’
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth found himself in the spotlight on Tuesday as he fended off questions from reporters about a leaked Signal chat group involving Trump administration officials discussing forthcoming strikes on the Houthis in Yemen. During a press gaggle in Hawaii, Hegseth was grilled on whether the information discussed in the group chat was declassified before being shared on the messaging platform. He was also asked if he was using his government or personal device to discuss operations as sensitive as the strikes against the Houthis.
The leaked chat group, titled “Houthi PC Small Group,” was brought to light by Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. Goldberg received a request to join the group chat on Signal on March 11 from someone who appeared to be the president’s National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz. Screenshots of the conversations in the chat revealed discussions about “war plans,” but Goldberg chose not to publish highly sensitive information about weapons packages, targets, and timing to avoid jeopardizing national security and military operations.
Hegseth, however, was quick to defend the actions of the officials in the chat group, stating that the strikes against the Houthis were “devastatingly effective.” He praised the courage and skill of the troops involved in the operations, emphasizing that the ongoing missions were a display of their bravery and expertise. Hegseth also took a swipe at the Biden administration, contrasting their approach with the decisive actions taken by the Trump officials.
When pressed about the potential risks to U.S. troops posed by leaking sensitive information in the Signal chat, Hegseth remained firm in his denial, stating categorically that “nobody was texting war plans.” He asserted that he had everything under control and was proud of the successful missions carried out that night and beyond.
Goldberg reported that 18 people were part of the Signal group, including high-ranking officials like Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Ratcliffe was also accused of revealing the name of a CIA undercover agent in the chat.
The authenticity of the Signal chat has been confirmed by the White House, despite Hegseth’s attempts to discredit Goldberg as a “deceitful and highly discredited” journalist. The group chat has raised concerns about national security breaches and the inappropriate use of unsecured communication platforms for discussing sensitive military operations.
In response to the scrutiny over the Signal chat, Hegseth joined Navy SEALs for physical training at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. He commended the SEALs for their prowess in stealth, endurance, and lethality, highlighting their crucial role in protecting America’s interests.
As the fallout from the leaked Signal chat continues, watchdog group American Oversight has filed a lawsuit against Hegseth and other officials involved, alleging violations of the Federal Records Act for failing to use secure government communication channels. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding national security protocols and safeguarding classified information from unauthorized disclosure.
