US Secretary of Defense Pat Hegseth has come under criticism for scandalous chats about the war in Yemen
21 april 2025 в 21:28
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has faced a new wave of criticism for reportedly including his inner circle in a second sensitive group chat, presumably about plans for war in Yemen. Under pressure directed at Hegseth, 44, due to security concerns, many Americans — and some conservatives — are calling for the former Fox News employee to resign. Get updates on Hegseth’s position at the Pentagon below.
In March 2025, The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg published a viral article claiming he was mistakenly included in a Signal group chat with Hegseth and senior officials regarding military strikes in Yemen.
A month later, several publications reported that Hegseth had included his inner circle in a second group chat about an attack on the Houthis. According to Reuters, Hegseth’s wife, brother, and lawyer were present in the chat.
At the time of publication, Hegseth has not addressed rumors of resignation. He is not stepping down from his position. White House press secretary Caroline Levitt told journalists on April 21, 2025, that Trump «fully trusts Secretary Hegseth. I spoke with him about it this morning, and he firmly supports him», - according to The Guardian.
However, many conservatives have expressed concerns about Hegseth’s actions. Former Pentagon press secretary John Elliott wrote an article in Politico about the alleged «complete chaos» in which the Pentagon finds itself.
«From leaks of sensitive operational plans to mass firings, dysfunction is now a serious distraction for the president», - Elliott wrote, adding that «it is hard to imagine that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will remain in his position much longer».
Claiming that the Pentagon is «in turmoil under Hegseth’s leadership», - Elliott added in his article that Trump won the 2024 election because he «is not a typical representative of the Washington beltway, like many of his predecessors, but rather a shrewd businessman who expects results and demands accountability from his team for serious mistakes made on their watch».
«Last week, a month after I left my public relations position, I politely declined the secretary’s generous offer of a new position and informed him of my decision to leave the department, wishing him all the best», - he continued. «I appreciate his friendship and am grateful for the opportunity to serve. I welcome his leadership in helping the president make America strong again».
Trump had previously expressed his support for Hegseth. When appointing him as Secretary of Defense, Trump said that under Hegseth’s leadership, «America's enemies are in a state of alarm — our military will be great again, and America will never retreat. No one fights harder for the troops, and Pete will be a brave and patriotic defender of our policy of 'Peace through Strength'»
In March 2025, The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg published a viral article claiming he was mistakenly included in a Signal group chat with Hegseth and senior officials regarding military strikes in Yemen.
A month later, several publications reported that Hegseth had included his inner circle in a second group chat about an attack on the Houthis. According to Reuters, Hegseth’s wife, brother, and lawyer were present in the chat.
At the time of publication, Hegseth has not addressed rumors of resignation. He is not stepping down from his position. White House press secretary Caroline Levitt told journalists on April 21, 2025, that Trump «fully trusts Secretary Hegseth. I spoke with him about it this morning, and he firmly supports him», - according to The Guardian.
However, many conservatives have expressed concerns about Hegseth’s actions. Former Pentagon press secretary John Elliott wrote an article in Politico about the alleged «complete chaos» in which the Pentagon finds itself.
«From leaks of sensitive operational plans to mass firings, dysfunction is now a serious distraction for the president», - Elliott wrote, adding that «it is hard to imagine that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will remain in his position much longer».
Claiming that the Pentagon is «in turmoil under Hegseth’s leadership», - Elliott added in his article that Trump won the 2024 election because he «is not a typical representative of the Washington beltway, like many of his predecessors, but rather a shrewd businessman who expects results and demands accountability from his team for serious mistakes made on their watch».
«Last week, a month after I left my public relations position, I politely declined the secretary’s generous offer of a new position and informed him of my decision to leave the department, wishing him all the best», - he continued. «I appreciate his friendship and am grateful for the opportunity to serve. I welcome his leadership in helping the president make America strong again».
Trump had previously expressed his support for Hegseth. When appointing him as Secretary of Defense, Trump said that under Hegseth’s leadership, «America's enemies are in a state of alarm — our military will be great again, and America will never retreat. No one fights harder for the troops, and Pete will be a brave and patriotic defender of our policy of 'Peace through Strength'»
© Artemenko Olga
