​Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Under Fire for Sharing Yemen Strike Details in Private Signal Chat

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing intense backlash after reports emerged that he shared sensitive information about a March military airstrike in Yemen in a private Signal messaging group. The group, named "Defense 'Team Huddle'," had 13 members, including Hegseth's wife and brother. Details shared were said to be so detailed that they included specifics such as warplane launch times, which were surprisingly close to those of a previous Signal chat among Trump administration officials. ​

Signal, an encrypted messaging app that is not approved for the transmission of classified defense information, has raised grave concerns about potential breaches of national security protocols. Critics have argued that sharing such sensitive information on an unprotected platform with people who lack adequate security clearances is dangerous to military personnel and national security. The Department of Defense's acting inspector general has initiated an investigation into the matter, upon the request of Senate Armed Services Committee leaders.

This incident is part of a roll call of controversies surrounding Hegseth during his stint as Defense Secretary. Previously, it was revealed that one of the Signal groups started by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and included top officials accidentally had a reporter from The Atlantic. The group's existence and the sensitive information shared in the group were leaked by the accidental inclusion. ​

In response to the news, Hegseth had denied that any war plans were texted, stating, "Nobody was texting war plans." That non-governmental individuals were included in deliberations of military operations, however, has triggered bipartisan outrage and calls for resignation. Several top officials have already resigned amid the ongoing probe, and critics such as Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer are calling for Hegseth's firing.

As the investigation progresses, the incident highlights the significance of sticking to prescribed procedures in dealing with sensitive information and the possible implications of diverging from such norms.