The Renewed Campaign to Oust Hegseth

_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing a coordinated media backlash following a series of new leaks and firings within the Pentagon.

Reports allege that Hegseth shared sensitive military information in a second private Signal chat, prompting renewed scrutiny from legacy outlets, including The New York Times, NBC News, and Politico. Even Hegseth’s former aides have come out against him.

The controversy stems from the removal of several senior Pentagon officials accused of leaking sensitive information. Some conservatives have slammed Hegseth for these firings, accusing him of intentionally ousting figures who are skeptical of foreign interventionism.

_THE FACTS_

• Hegseth is accused of discussing military strikes in another Signal chat that included his wife and brother.

• Hegseth claims the chat was unclassified, but NBC reports he shared US airstrike timing from a general that could have endangered pilots.

• The White House brushed off the controversy as a "nonstory.”

• The Defense Department (DOD) said the story relied solely on fired staffers with motives to sabotage the administration.

• Three of Hegseth's top aides were fired last week over alleged leaks, including Dan Caldwell and Darin Selnick.

• Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot, once a Hegseth ally, published an op-ed urging Trump to fire Hegseth.

• Trump has shown no signs of backing down, remarking that Hegseth is “doing a great job,” and praised the upswing in military recruitment under his leadership.

• White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Pentagon is "working against" Hegseth because of the reforms he's implementing.

• Hegseth dismissed the reports as "anonymous smears" and blamed the media for trying to "slash and burn" reputations.

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