Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is so consumed with catching Pentagon leakers that he’s become the biggest leaker himself, sharing classified Yemen strike details in a private Signal chat with his wife and lawyer.
At a Glance
- Hegseth shared classified details about Yemen strikes in a Signal group chat named “Defense | Team Huddle” that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer
- According to a former aide, leak investigations now consume approximately 50% of the Defense Secretary’s time
- Three Pentagon aides were placed on administrative leave following leak probes
- Hegseth has allegedly created a “culture of fear and toxicity” with ongoing polygraph tests
The Irony of the Leak Hunter Becoming the Leaker
In a twist that would be comedic if it weren’t concerning for national security, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has reportedly been spending half his workday hunting down Pentagon leakers, has himself been caught sharing classified information through inappropriate channels. According to multiple sources, Hegseth shared detailed flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornets targeting Houthi positions in Yemen via a private Signal chat that included several people with no legitimate need for this sensitive information—including his own wife.
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared detailed information about forthcoming strikes in Yemen on March 15 in a private Signal group chat that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer, according to four people with knowledge of the chat.” – four people with knowledge of the chat.
This wasn’t just any casual chat group. Dubbed “Defense | Team Huddle,” it appears Hegseth created his own shadow advisory team outside proper government channels. Even more concerning, he accessed this group using his personal phone instead of his secure government-issued device. The same information was apparently shared with an editor at The Atlantic in a similar blunder, compounding questions about Hegseth’s judgment and handling of classified material.
Paranoia and Polygraphs: Inside Hegseth’s Pentagon
While Hegseth seems comfortable sharing military strike plans with his family and friends, he’s apparently created a culture of paranoia within the Pentagon itself. Former aide Colin Carroll paints a picture of a Defense Secretary obsessed with plugging leaks, to the detriment of actually running the Department of Defense. The situation has apparently deteriorated to the point where polygraph tests have become commonplace and fear permeates the building.
“I think it’s kind of consumed the team a little bit… If you look at a pie chart of the secretary’s day, at this point, 50 percent of it is probably leak investigation. Press. It’s that.” – Colin Carroll.
Perhaps most telling is that instead of addressing substantive national security concerns, Hegseth has allegedly prioritized photo opportunities with troops to combat his increasingly negative image. This public relations approach seems to be a poor substitute for actual leadership, especially when critical matters like budget discussions are reportedly taking a back seat to image management efforts.
Staff Purges and Internal Turmoil
The hunt for leakers has resulted in three aides being placed on administrative leave, but former staffers like Carroll are speaking out about what they describe as unjust dismissals. The reported leaks that triggered Hegseth’s investigative frenzy included information about the Panama Canal, U.S. carrier movements, intelligence gathering pauses, and even details about Elon Musk’s visit to the Pentagon. The irony that Hegseth himself has now been implicated in sharing similarly sensitive information seems lost on no one.
“Now there is a culture of fear and toxicity.” – Colin Carroll.
Some fired aides, including Dan Caldwell, have suggested a “deep state” plot involving former Obama officials is targeting Hegseth. Meanwhile, others point fingers at internal dysfunction, particularly involving Joe Kasper, Hegseth’s former chief of staff who has since agreed to leave the Department of Defense. This circular firing squad of accusations paints a picture of a Pentagon leadership team in disarray at a time when America can least afford it.
The situation raises serious questions: If Hegseth can’t properly secure sensitive military information in his own communications, how can he effectively lead the world’s most powerful military? And if he’s spending half his time hunting for leaks rather than addressing pressing national security concerns, is he fulfilling his fundamental duties as Defense Secretary? The American people deserve better than a Pentagon consumed by internal witch hunts while its own leader casually shares classified information with his spouse.
