Pentagon Chief Under Scrutiny for Private Signal Chats on Yemen Strikes

Recently revealed details of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's private Signal chats, in which he shared operational information about air strikes in Yemen, have raised serious concerns about the security and appropriateness of using private messaging platforms for discussing sensitive military actions.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is embroiled in controversy following reports that he shared sensitive information regarding US air strikes in Yemen via private chats on the Signal app. On March 15, Hegseth communicated flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornets targeting Houthi positions in a group that included his wife, brother, and personal legal adviser, a revelation verified by the BBC's US partner CBS.

This disclosure comes on the heels of previous reports of another Signal group used to discuss military operations, which generated criticism over the handling of classified information. The White House emphasized that no classified data had been shared in either group chat, an assertion met with skepticism from former defense officials who claim that such discussions could endanger operatives involved in the strikes.

Hegseth's second group, labeled "Defense | Team Huddle," was initiated by him and marks yet another chapter in the ongoing scrutiny surrounding his leadership, especially following his recent decision to dismiss three senior officials accused of unauthorized disclosures—a charge that the officials have strongly contested.

Critics argue that the inclusion of Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer—who has no formal military role—alongside his brother and legal counsel raises questions about the necessity of their access to sensitive operational details. As Hegseth manages a substantial Pentagon budget of $892 billion, an op-ed by former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot described the current dysfunction within the department as a severe distraction for the Biden administration.

In contrast, current Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended Hegseth against what he termed a biased media narrative driven by opposition to Trump’s agenda, insisting that none of the Signal conversations contained classified content.

The US has justified recent air strikes in Yemen as a direct response to escalated Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which, according to Houthis, are directed against American or allied interests amidst regional tensions linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Following the US strikes, local health officials reported significant casualties, with Houthi authorities labeling the actions as a grave “war crime.”