President Donald Trump has come out in support of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid growing controversy over sensitive military information being shared in a private group chat. Reports surfaced that Hegseth shared details about planned bombing raids on Yemen with a group that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer.
Trump dismissed the situation as a "waste of time," stating that Hegseth is doing a "great job." He also pointed to Hegseth’s past as a former Army National Guard officer and a Fox News host, suggesting that critics are simply disgruntled former employees.
This incident is not the first time Hegseth has faced scrutiny. Just last month, it was revealed that he had mistakenly shared information about air strikes on Houthi rebels in a Signal chat that included an editor from The Atlantic magazine. This latest revelation has reignited questions about his leadership at the Pentagon.
In a recent op-ed, former press secretary John Ullyot, one of several aides Hegseth let go, described the Pentagon as being in "disarray" under Hegseth’s leadership. He criticized the current environment, saying it is filled with "total chaos."
Trump defended Hegseth further, suggesting that the criticisms stem from individuals he has removed from their positions. "He was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and that’s what he’s doing," Trump said.
While many Republicans have remained silent or backed Hegseth, some Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have called for his resignation. Congressman Don Bacon from Nebraska is the only Republican publicly advocating for Hegseth’s removal.
In response to the backlash, Hegseth accused the media of exploiting former employees with grievances to damage his reputation. He emphasized that he is focused on implementing Trump’s "America First" agenda, while also calling for a continued investigation into the leaks coming from the Pentagon.
As this situation unfolds, it highlights the ongoing tensions within the Trump administration and the challenges Hegseth faces in leading the Defense Department.