Pentagon Turmoil: Multiple Top Officials Suspended Over Signal Chat Leak Involving Defense Secretary’s Inner Circle
Washington, April 21: A classified leak scandal involving U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has rocked the Pentagon, resulting in the suspension of several top officials, including close aides to the secretary himself. The controversy centers around a series of encrypted Signal chat messages in which Hegseth reportedly shared sensitive military details with unauthorized individuals, including family members and his personal attorney.
Sensitive Military Plans Leaked in Private Group Chats
According to The New York Times, on March 15, Hegseth allegedly sent detailed operational plans regarding imminent U.S. airstrikes in Yemen to a private Signal group chat. Participants reportedly included his wife Jennifer Hegseth, his brother Phil Hegseth—a senior advisor at the Department of Homeland Security—and his personal lawyer Tim Parlatore, who serves as a Navy reservist appointed within the Pentagon.
The leaked information included flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornets intended for missions targeting Houthi forces in Yemen. One of the messages was mistakenly sent to the editor of The Atlantic, further escalating concerns over the breach.
Officials Suspended, Inspector General Launches Investigation
As the internal inquiry gains momentum, Pentagon acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins has formally launched an investigation. In connection with the leak, three top aides to Hegseth—Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick—have been suspended pending further review.
ABC News confirmed that the controversial chat groups were created on Hegseth’s personal phone. While his wife holds no official role within the Department of Defense, her involvement in receiving potentially sensitive details has alarmed national security officials.
Pentagon Defends Secretary, Denies Classified Leak
Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Sean Parnell issued a statement on Sunday night via X (formerly Twitter), claiming that the controversy has been inflated by what he described as “anti-Trump media.” Parnell insisted that no classified information was shared in any of the chats and emphasized the Secretary’s ongoing commitment to implementing former President Donald Trump’s defense agenda.
Nevertheless, former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot added fuel to the fire with a Politico op-ed, highlighting a “month of chaos” within the Pentagon. He described the series of leaks and mass suspensions as unprecedented and warned that this may significantly impact Hegseth’s ability to retain his post.
Political Fallout Looms
This scandal comes at a critical juncture for the Pentagon, with mounting concerns over operational security and internal governance. The involvement of non-government individuals in potentially sensitive communications is expected to prompt further scrutiny from Congress and national security experts alike.
As the investigation unfolds, observers are questioning whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth can maintain his position amid growing calls for accountability and tighter communication protocols within one of the most secure institutions in the U.S. government.
