WASHINGTON — A combat veteran turned Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, faces a storm of accusations over his use of Signal group chats to share sensitive military plans.
Handpicked by President Donald Trump to lead the Pentagon, Hegseth now battles claims of reckless leadership — and points the finger at former aide Dan Caldwell, accusing him of leaking falsehoods to undermine Trump’s agenda.
This high-stakes clash, set against a backdrop of Pentagon turmoil, reveals a deeper struggle over loyalty and power.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard officer, is no stranger to scrutiny. But supporters view him as a patriot targeted by insiders bent on sabotage.
As the Pentagon’s inspector general investigates alleged leaks, Hegseth stands firm, branding Caldwell a “leaker and a liar.” The dispute raises questions about trust, security, and the future of Trump’s vision for the military.
The saga began in March 2025, when Hegseth shared details of planned U.S. airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen via a Signal chat that mistakenly included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic.
Hegseth admitted to using the encrypted app for “informal, unclassified coordinations,” calling it an honest error.
A second report, published by The New York Times, claimed Hegseth shared similar details in a Signal group titled “Defense | Team Huddle,” with his wife, brother, personal lawyer, and aides — some without security clearances.
The Guardian amplified the story, portraying Hegseth as a danger to national security. Hegseth fired back, labeling the report a “hoax” driven by disgruntled former staffers, including Caldwell.
Hegseth’s allies argue the chats were routine, not a breach of protocol. With Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt standing by him, Hegseth vows to fight on.
Dan Caldwell, a senior advisor to Hegseth, was placed on administrative leave April 15, 2025, for an “unauthorized disclosure” linked to the Signal controversy.
Hegseth accused Caldwell of fabricating the second chat story to damage his reputation. “This is a hit job by fired employees,” Hegseth wrote on X, rallying supporters who see the leaks as an establishment plot.
Caldwell had remained silent, locking his X profile. Until he went on Tucker's Podcast and gave his side of the story. Three other ousted staffers issued a joint statement April 19, 2025, claiming they were unaware of specific allegations against them.
Caldwell Tells All on Tucker Carlson
Their response, far from vague, paints a picture of loyalty under fire. Dan Caldwell, in an April 21, 2025, appearance on “The Tucker Carlson Show,” denied leaking classified information, insisting he was targeted for opposing Pentagon war hawks.
“Absolutely not,” Caldwell told Carlson when asked if he shared secrets with the press, emphasizing he never spoke to NBC reporters while at the Pentagon. He claimed no polygraph or device seizure occurred, calling the investigation a “sham” meant to silence his resistance to war with Iran.
“I was one of the strongest voices for peace,” he said, aligning himself with Trump’s America First vision.
On X, supporters rally behind Caldwell, rejecting labels of him as a “RINO.” “Dan’s a patriot set up by warmongers,” one user posted. The inspector general’s probe may reveal the truth — or deepen the divide.
Critics, like Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., slam Hegseth’s Signal use as “singular stupidity” and demand his resignation. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., cites Pentagon “chaos,” while former spokesperson John Ullyot, another fired aide, called Hegseth’s tenure a “month of hell.”
Yet Caldwell’s testimony suggests the chaos stems from insiders punishing dissent, not Hegseth’s errors alone.
Hegseth’s allies, like Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., defend him as a patriot shaking up a bloated Pentagon. “Pete’s committed to the mission,” Tuberville told Fox News. “These attacks come when you challenge the swamp.” Hegseth insists the Signal chats held no classified data, and the White House dismisses replacement rumors as “fake news.”
Still, the probe’s outcome could define his tenure.
This feud is more than a Pentagon spat; it’s a fight for Trump’s vision. Caldwell’s ousting, he argues, exposes the establishment’s fear of leaders who prioritize peace. “Tucker’s work helped stop a war,” Caldwell told Carlson, tying his cause to conservative values. Security matters, and Hegseth’s Signal missteps invite scrutiny.
But supporters, bolstered by Caldwell’s stand, see the real threat in insiders who betray Trump’s agenda. As the probe unfolds, the truth will shape the Pentagon’s future — and America’s trust in its leaders.
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