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Multiple sources close to the administration say the White House is actively searching for a replacement for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following alarming revelations that he shared sensitive military information via private messaging apps.
According to a U.S. official familiar with the matter—who requested anonymity due to not being authorized to speak publicly—Hegseth is once again under scrutiny after it was revealed he disclosed classified details of U.S. airstrikes in Yemen using the encrypted Signal app on his personal phone. The messages were reportedly sent to a group that included his wife, brother, and personal attorney.
This isn’t the first time Hegseth has faced backlash over communications involving military operations. Just weeks ago, a separate Signal group chat—including senior White House staff and, unintentionally, a journalist—received minute-by-minute updates on the same strike operations. That breach occurred only hours before missiles were launched, raising serious national security concerns. Critics fear the leak could have jeopardized the lives of U.S. personnel had the information been intercepted by enemy forces. Already, two U.S. drones have been shot down by Houthi rebels.
Despite mounting concerns, the Trump administration is publicly standing by Hegseth. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the notion that a search for a replacement is underway, stating on X that President Trump “stands strongly” with Hegseth. The president echoed that sentiment during the White House Easter Egg Roll, brushing off criticism.
“He’s doing a great job — ask the Houthis how he’s doing,” Trump told reporters.
Hegseth, a former television host with no prior experience managing a sprawling federal agency like the Department of Defense, denied any wrongdoing when asked about the leaks.
“This is what the media does. They take anonymous tips from disgruntled ex-employees and try to ruin reputations,” Hegseth said. “It’s not going to work with me.”
Hegseth was likely referring to the sudden departure of four senior officials from the Pentagon last week. Among them, former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot, who later authored a scathing op-ed describing the current state of the department as a “full-blown meltdown” marked by internal dysfunction and damaging leaks.
Three additional aides—Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick—were reportedly escorted out of the building and accused of leaking sensitive information to the media. The trio released a joint statement calling their removal “unconscionable,” stating they were never even told what they were accused of leaking.
“All three of us served our country honorably—two of us in combat zones,” they wrote. “We understand the critical importance of safeguarding classified information and took that responsibility seriously every day.”
Both Caldwell and Selnick are longtime allies of Hegseth, having worked together at Concerned Veterans for America, a conservative policy group.
Adding fuel to the fire, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called on Hegseth to take accountability—but placed ultimate blame at the feet of President Trump.
“The President chose to put a former weekend TV host with zero executive experience in charge of the nation’s largest and most critical department,” Shaheen said. “This is the consequence.”
The controversy comes on the heels of a Pentagon warning about ongoing cyberattacks targeting Signal, the very app used by Hegseth in both instances of unauthorized disclosure.
