Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reported to have shared war plans in another group chat, following the controversy of the first time this happened.
According to reports, Hegseth created a Signal chat named "Defense | Team Huddle," which included his wife, brother, personal lawyer, and senior staff.
The group reportedly discussed explicit operational details of forthcoming airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi rebels, including warplane launch times and attack schedules.
The New York Times first reported that Hegseth "shared detailed information about forthcoming strikes in Yemen in a private Signal group chat group that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer."
Hegseth reportedly created the group in January before he was confirmed as defense secretary.
Sources say Hegseth was warned by an aide about using unsecure messaging apps but pressed ahead anyway, divulging details including warplane launch times.
These details, former officials noted, would almost certainly be considered classified and could have jeopardized operational security and the safety of US pilots.
Hegseth’s wife Jennifer - formerly a Fox News producer - has reportedly attended sensitive defense meetings with foreign military counterparts.
His brother, also named in the group, currently works at the Pentagon as a senior advisor and liaison with the Department of Homeland Security, per Sky News.
The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg revealed he was mistakenly added to the first chat group by national security adviser Mike Waltz.
The group included several high-profile Trump administration officials, including Marco Rubio, JD Vance, Tulsi Gabbard, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Messages in the chat outlined tactical strike plans, political strategies, and even fears over European freeloading.
Goldberg recounted seeing messages like: “Team, you should have a statement of conclusions with taskings per the President’s guidance this morning in your high side inboxes,” and others planning regional ally notifications.
In one dramatic moment, Hegseth messaged the group about an impending detonation in Yemen, with the journalist confirming real-time explosions in the region just hours later.
Despite the explosive reports, the White House has continued to stand by Hegseth. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly brushed off the reports: “No matter how many times the legacy media tries to resurrect the same non-story, they can’t change the fact that no classified information was shared.”
She added that recently fired “leakers” are trying to “undermine the President’s agenda,” referring to four Pentagon officials ousted in the wake of the leak investigation.
Still, the political pressure is mounting. “We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. “But Trump is still too weak to fire him. Pete Hegseth must be fired.”
With growing calls for Hegseth’s resignation and a Department of Defense inspector general investigation underway, the controversy known as “Signalgate” is far from over.