2nd Signal chat reveals Hegseth messaging about Yemen strikes with family members: Sources

Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed crucial information about an upcoming attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen in March during a private chat on the messaging app Signal. This chat involved his wife, his brother, and his personal lawyer, according to sources familiar with the conversation.

The details shared in this second chat included flight schedules for the F/A-18 Hornets that were part of the impending strike on Houthi positions. The New York Times was the first to report on Hegseth’s disclosure of this information in the second Signal group.

The incident took place around the same time in mid-March when key members of President Donald Trump’s National Security Council unintentionally shared details about a missile strike in Yemen with The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief.

It was reported that Hegseth created this second encrypted chat group on his personal phone during his confirmation process. His wife, Jennifer Hegseth, who is not affiliated with the Defense Department, was part of this group chat.

In addition to his wife, Hegseth’s brother, Phil Hegseth, works as a senior adviser at the Department of Homeland Security and is detailed to the Defense Department. His personal attorney, Tim Parlatore, is a Navy reservist assigned to Hegseth’s office at the Pentagon.

In response to reports about the second chat, Sean Parnell, the chief spokesperson for the Pentagon, dismissed the allegations as old news and reiterated that no classified information was shared in any Signal chat. He emphasized the Defense Department’s commitment to executing President Trump’s agenda efficiently.

The Pentagon’s inspector general is currently investigating Hegseth’s use of the Signal app to ensure compliance with department policies and procedures regarding official communications.

Former U.S. officials have raised concerns that sharing sensitive military information over unapproved channels could jeopardize the safety of troops overseas. The ongoing investigations into potential leaks involving the first known chat thread have been complicated by the use of such platforms.

Several officials who were fired in connection with the inquiry, including Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick, have denied any wrongdoing and criticized the baseless accusations against them.

John Ullyot, the Pentagon’s former top spokesman, highlighted the chaos and dysfunction within the department, calling it a major distraction for the administration. He suggested that Hegseth’s leadership may be in jeopardy given the recent turmoil within the Pentagon.

Ullyot’s departure from the Pentagon, following controversies over his defense of certain decisions, raised questions about the administration’s handling of senior officials. Despite conflicting accounts of his resignation, it is evident that the Pentagon is facing internal challenges that may impact its operations moving forward.