Oops, Pete Did It Again: Shared Details In Second Signal Chat

Whiskeyleaks Pete Hegseth, the newly confirmed Defense Secretary of the United States, has once again found himself at the center of a controversy surrounding sensitive national security information. According to four people with knowledge of the chat, Mr. Hegseth shared detailed information about forthcoming strikes in Yemen on March 15 in a private Signal group chat that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer.

The chat, dubbed "Defense | Team Huddle," was created by Mr. Hegseth in January before his confirmation as Defense Secretary. It was comprised of approximately 13 people from his personal and professional inner circle, including Jennifer Hegseth, his wife, and Phil Hegseth, his brother. Tim Parlatore, who continues to serve as Mr. Hegseth's personal lawyer, was also a participant in the chat.

What makes this situation particularly egregious is that none of these individuals have any apparent reason to be briefed on operational details of a military operation, let alone receive sensitive information via private group chat. This raises serious questions about Mr. Hegseth's adherence to security protocols and his ability to safeguard highly classified US national security information.

It appears that Mr. Hegseth used his private phone to access the Signal chat, rather than his government-issued device, which increases the risk of security breaches. As one Twitter user pointed out, this was an especially egregious mistake considering that the chat included not only sensitive military information but also his wife and brother, both of whom have jobs in the Pentagon.

Mr. Hegseth's actions are part of a larger pattern of behavior that has raised concerns about his qualifications to lead the Department of Defense. His previous mistake involving The Atlantic, which was shared in another private group chat, has been widely criticized by many Republicans who claimed it was an isolated incident. However, this latest revelation suggests that Mr. Hegseth's lapses in judgment may be more widespread than initially thought.

"This isn't just a failure to safeguard highly sensitive US national security information, it's nuts," said one Twitter user. "It shows either his lack of intelligence, expertise, or judgment—or quite possibly all the above." As another user pointed out on social media, this latest scandal should be shared with every Republican senator and congressman who has claimed that Mr. Hegseth's mistake was an isolated incident.

In light of these developments, it remains to be seen whether Mr. Hegseth will face any consequences for his actions. However, one thing is certain: his administration will need to take a hard look at its security protocols and ensure that sensitive information is handled with the utmost care.