White House Dismisses Reports of Defense Secretary's Involvement in Signal Chats as 'Nonstory'
The White House has strongly refuted recent media reports alleging that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was involved in a second Signal group chat discussing military strikes on Yemen, labeling the reports as a ’nonstory'.
Amidst swirling reports, the White House has forcefully pushed back against claims that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth participated in a Signal group chat to discuss military operations. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly emphasized that no classified information was shared, accusing recently fired Department of Defense staffers of misrepresenting facts to salvage their ‘shattered egos.’ The allegations stem from reports suggesting Hegseth was part of a chat alongside his wife, personal attorney, and brother, discussing potential strikes on Yemen.
Hegseth himself dismissed the reports as smears by disgruntled employees and reiterated his focus on combating what he called ‘fake news media.’ This comes after a tumultuous week at the Pentagon, marked by the dismissal of top aides amid a probe into unauthorized leaks. The administration maintains that the matter regarding the Signal chat, which also involved other high-profile national security figures, is closed, with no classified information compromised.
As the controversy unfolds, it highlights ongoing tensions and power struggles within the Pentagon, reflecting broader challenges in maintaining security and trust in government communications. The White House remains firm in its stance, supporting its national security team and downplaying the impact of these reports on its agenda.