Revelations Emerge on Pentagon Chat Amid Yemen Airstrike Controversy

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has come under scrutiny following the disclosure of details related to a military airstrike against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. These details surfaced during a discussion on Signal, a secure messaging platform, involving Hegseth’s wife and brother.

According to a report by The New York Times, this second chat revealed discussions surrounding the controversial airstrike that occurred in March. The first chat, which included senior Trump administration officials, only became known recently after the unintended addition of Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, raised concerns about operational security.

Pentagon Pushback on Reporting

The Pentagon has vehemently denied the implications of this report. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed President Donald Trump’s support for Hegseth during an appearance on FOX & Friends.

Reports indicate that the second Signal chat reiterated warplane launch timings and operational specifics. Former and current officials expressed concerns that disclosing such information could jeopardize the safety of military pilots involved in the operations.

Involvement of Family and Legal Counsel

Insiders revealed that the Signal chat included individuals close to Hegseth. His wife, Jennifer, a former producer at Fox News, along with his brother, Phil, and personal attorney, Tim Parlatore, were members of this discussion group.

While Jennifer Hegseth is not a Pentagon employee, she has accompanied her husband on trips abroad. Both Phil Hegseth and Parlatore do maintain roles within the Pentagon. The rationale for including family members in operational briefings remains unclear, prompting further questions about protocol.

Details About the Chat Group’s Composition

Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the chat group included a total of thirteen participants and was referred to as “Defense ‘Team Huddle.'” This unusual gathering raises serious questions regarding the sharing of sensitive information within such a group.

Official Reactions and Criticism

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell dismissed the reports, labeling them as irrelevant and reiterating that mainstream media continues to fabricate narratives aimed at undermining President Trump’s administration. Parnell specifically cited the motivations of individuals who recently lost their positions at the Pentagon as potential sources for these allegations.

“The Trump-hating media remains relentless in its pursuit to vilify anyone supporting President Trump’s agenda,” Parnell remarked. He further stated that there were no classified materials shared in any of these Signal chats, a point Hegseth had previously affirmed.