White House rips alleged Pentagon leakers’ ‘shattered egos,’ brushes off Hegseth second Signal chat report
The White House has once again hit back at recent news reports detailing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s alleged involvement in a second Signal group chat where military strikes on Yemen were discussed. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly dismissed the reports as a “nonstory” and criticized the recently fired Department of Defense staffers for spreading misinformation.
Kelly emphasized that no classified information was shared in the group chat and accused the fired employees of spreading false information to undermine the President’s agenda. She reiterated the administration’s commitment to holding those accountable for leaking information.
The reports surfaced after it was revealed that Hegseth was part of another Signal group chat, allegedly created by him, where discussions about military strikes on Yemen took place. Hegseth has denied the allegations, attributing them to “disgruntled employees” and “anonymous smears.”
During the White House Easter Egg roll, Hegseth dismissed the reporting as fake news and accused the media of being hoaxsters. He expressed his determination to fight against what he perceives as false narratives and reiterated his commitment to supporting President Trump.
The Trump administration has faced criticism following reports that top national security leaders, including Hegseth, discussed military strikes in Yemen in a Signal group chat. Despite the allegations, the administration maintains that no classified information was shared in the chat.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declared the Signal chat leak case closed and expressed support for National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who was also implicated in the chat. Leavitt assured the media that steps had been taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Reports of a second Signal chat involving Hegseth come in the wake of several high-profile departures at the Pentagon due to leaks. Senior aides to Hegseth were placed on leave and later fired as the Pentagon conducted an investigation into unauthorized disclosures.
The recent turmoil at the Pentagon, including the mass firings of top officials, has raised concerns about the stability of the administration. Former press aide John Ullyot published an opinion piece predicting that Hegseth may not remain in his role for much longer, citing the chaos and dysfunction within the department.
As the administration grapples with internal challenges and external scrutiny, the White House continues to defend its actions and push back against what it perceives as false narratives and attacks. The controversy surrounding the Signal group chat and the subsequent fallout underscore the complexities and challenges of governing in the modern political landscape.
