In the wake of a report alleging that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared classified details about a U.S. military operation against the Houthis in Yemen via a Signal group chat, sources close to the Trump administration have expressed both support for and concern over the defense secretary’s actions.
Despite criticism about his judgment, a senior Trump adviser told NewsNation that Hegseth’s job remains secure for the time being, with the administration backing him amid the controversy.
The New York Times report, published on Monday, claimed that Hegseth, a former Fox News host and newly appointed defense secretary, shared sensitive details about the mission with members of his family on a private Signal chat. The information reportedly concerned the specifics of a U.S. attack on the Houthis, a rebel group based in Yemen, raising serious questions about security breaches and the handling of classified information.
However, a current Trump adviser, who spoke to NewsNation under the condition of anonymity, downplayed the significance of the report, arguing that while it was a “media fiasco,” the mission in Yemen itself had been successful, and Hegseth still had room to maneuver in his role.
“It was a success. So, he has latitude,” the adviser said, acknowledging that Hegseth’s leadership is under close scrutiny but adding that it is still “too early to tell” what long-term impact the controversy will have.
The situation has ignited a debate about Hegseth’s suitability for the role of defense secretary, especially in light of reports about his past conduct. The adviser mentioned that Hegseth had a problematic history even before his nomination, citing an alleged sexual assault claim in 2017 from a woman with whom Hegseth reportedly had a nondisclosure agreement.
Hegseth has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Despite these concerns, the adviser emphasized that Hegseth's ability to inspire military recruitment was key to his continued position in the administration. "Trump wants recruitment up, and Hegseth inspires young men," the adviser said. "Boost morale and lead to more recruitment."
Since Trump’s victory, military recruitment numbers have surged, with the U.S. Army reporting its best December in 15 years in December 2024. The Army saw 346 daily enlistments that month, which military recruiters celebrated as a sign of success in attracting young recruits.
Hegseth himself credited the increase in recruitment to Trump’s leadership, particularly his "America First" agenda. On X, Hegseth wrote, “BOTTOM LINE: America’s youth want to serve under the bold & strong ‘America First’ leadership of @realDonaldTrump.”
Despite these positive numbers, Hegseth’s handling of classified information has sparked backlash. Another source close to the White House, who also spoke anonymously, defended Hegseth’s leadership, saying rumors about his competence were exaggerated.
This individual dismissed the notion that Trump was considering replacing Hegseth anytime soon, even with the controversy surrounding the Signal report. “Rumors have been inaccurately spreading about Secretary Hegseth since the moment he was announced for the job. Military recruitment is soaring. America is respected again, and the secretary is showing true leadership,” the source said.
On the other hand, not all members of the Republican Party are as willing to overlook Hegseth’s reported behavior. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, condemned Hegseth’s actions if the report about sharing classified information is true.
“If it’s true that he had another [Signal] chat with his family about the missions against the Houthis, it’s totally unacceptable,” Bacon told The Hill. His comments underscore the division within the Republican Party about Hegseth’s fitness for office and his handling of national security matters.
Another Republican senator, hinted at possible "buyer’s remorse" regarding Hegseth’s confirmation. Hegseth had been narrowly confirmed for the role in January, and the fallout from this latest report could cause lingering doubts about his judgment and long-term viability as the country’s top military official.
Despite these mounting concerns, President Trump expressed his full support for Hegseth when asked about the matter on Monday. At a White House event celebrating Easter, Trump dismissed the controversy with a brief comment, stating, “He’s doing a great job. Ask the Houthis how he’s doing,” referencing the rebel group targeted by the missile strikes.
His flippant response indicated his continued backing for Hegseth despite the allegations, further complicating the public perception of the defense secretary's position.
Meanwhile, morale within the Department of Defense has reportedly been affected by recent changes in personnel. High-ranking officials, including Dan Caldwell, senior Pentagon adviser; Darin Selnick, deputy chief of staff; and Colin Carroll, former chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, were removed from their positions after being accused of leaking information to the press.
The three men have denied the allegations and issued a joint statement on social media, expressing their disappointment at being ousted without clear explanations.
“All three of us served our country honorably in uniform – for two of us, this included deployments to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” their statement read. “And, based on our collective service, we understand the importance of information security and worked every day to protect it.”
Despite their ouster, the trio expressed continued support for the Trump administration’s mission and its commitment to achieving peace through a strong military.
The adviser to the Trump administration told NewsNation that the criticism of Hegseth’s leadership was partly responsible for the departure of these officials. According to the source, they had raised concerns about Hegseth’s management style, which allegedly led to their dismissal.
“They raised the red flag about his [Hegseth’s] management, and Hegseth flushed them out,” the adviser claimed, suggesting that Hegseth’s behavior had caused tension within the Department of Defense.
In light of the growing controversy, some reports have suggested that the White House is exploring potential replacements for Hegseth, with Steve Feinberg, the deputy secretary of defense, being mentioned as a possible successor.
However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt quickly dismissed these rumors, calling them “fake news” on X. While the White House has not officially commented on the situation, it seems that Trump’s administration is standing by Hegseth for now, despite the mounting criticism.
For his part, the adviser acknowledged that following the latest Signal controversy, Hegseth’s responsibilities may shift in favor of Feinberg, who is viewed as a “proven leader.”
The adviser speculated that Feinberg would take on more of the day-to-day duties of the Department of Defense, albeit privately, rather than publicly assuming a more prominent role. This suggestion points to a possible behind-the-scenes reshuffling of responsibilities within the department as Hegseth faces increasing scrutiny.
The ongoing drama surrounding Hegseth’s leadership raises important questions about his future in the Trump administration, especially as reports continue to surface about his handling of sensitive information.
While Trump has expressed unwavering support for Hegseth, the defense secretary’s ability to maintain his position may depend on his continued success in military recruitment and the resolution of the controversies surrounding his judgment. Whether Hegseth can weather the storm or whether a replacement is eventually named remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the situation is far from resolved.
