Trump Defends Secretary of Defense Hegseth Amid Controversy over Sensitive Military Information Sharing

In a show of unwavering support, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed President Donald Trump's strong backing for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, despite emerging reports regarding Hegseth's discussions of sensitive military information on a Signal chat.

Defense Secretary's Role

Leavitt praised Hegseth's performance, stating, "He's doing a tremendous job, and he is bringing monumental change to the Pentagon." She attributed the alleged smear campaign against Hegseth to those resistant to significant transformations within the defense establishment.

Reports of Information Sharing

The defense of Hegseth came in response to an NBC News report which disclosed that the defense secretary had shared U.S. military plans via Signal, plans that had originally been transmitted to him through a secure government line designated for highly sensitive information. Notably, within a mere 10 minutes of receiving the plans on March 15, Hegseth disseminated them in a 13-person Signal group chat that included family members.

White House's Stance

In response to the reports, the White House asserted that none of the information shared by Hegseth on Signal was classified. Hegseth, in a bid to deflect criticism, attributed the revelation to "leakers" no longer associated with the Pentagon, dismissing their motives and intentions.

Defense of Communication

Hegseth defended his communication on Signal, characterizing the shared information as "informal, unclassified coordinations, for media coordination and other things." This defense came in the wake of earlier revelations regarding his discussions on pending military strikes in Yemen on a separate Signal thread.

Continued Support from Trump

President Trump has consistently expressed his support for Hegseth amidst the controversy, emphasizing on Monday that Hegseth was "doing a great job." Furthermore, White House officials have dismissed reports suggesting that they are actively seeking a replacement for Hegseth, indicating their endorsement of the Secretary of Defense amidst the ongoing scrutiny.

This unfolding situation marks a significant chapter in the Trump administration's approach to defense leadership and transparency in communication, as the administration navigates public perception and accountability in the realm of national security.