Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had a heated exchange with reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll, as his children observed. The confrontation was sparked by a question regarding war plans he allegedly disclosed to his wife and brother via the Signal app, marking a recurring controversy over his use of the messaging platform for sensitive discussions.
“Hoaxsters—this group right here—full of hoaxsters that peddle anonymous sources from leakers with axes to grind, and then you put it all together as if it’s some news story,” Hegseth stated, addressing the gathered press corps with a pointed gesture.
The New York Times reported on Sunday, April 20, 2025, that Hegseth had discussed plans for bombing Yemen in a Signal group chat titled “Defense Huddle” with his wife, Jennifer Rauchet. The chat reportedly included Hegseth’s brother and personal lawyer, totaling 13 participants.
Reports indicate Pentagon officials had cautioned Hegseth against sharing sensitive information on unsecured platforms shortly before the Yemen strikes. Despite these warnings, he shared military information in the group chat, raising concerns about his handling of classified data.
This follows a prior incident last month when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, disclosed he was unintentionally added to another Signal chat. In it, Hegseth and senior Trump administration officials discussed airstrikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis.
Hegseth accused the media of using anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees to damage reputations, his voice breaking as he made these claims.
Recently, Hegseth dismissed three top aides amid an investigation into suspected leaks of sensitive information within the Pentagon. These officials were reportedly escorted out as part of the inquiry.
As Hegseth continued criticizing the media, Rauchet and their seven children stood behind him. He emphasized: “This is why we’re fighting the fake news media. This is why we’re fighting slash-and-burn Democrats. This is why we’re fighting hoaxsters!”
Despite the controversy, the White House has expressed support for Hegseth. The press secretary affirmed that President Trump “absolutely has confidence” in him, stating they are “on the same page all the way.”
However, the incidents have drawn strong reactions from lawmakers. Several Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Mark Warner and Tammy Duckworth, have called for Hegseth’s resignation or dismissal, citing national security risks from his handling of military information.
At least one Republican congressman has also called for action, expressing concern over Hegseth’s apparent neglect of protocols for classified information.
Hegseth’s confirmation as defense secretary in January was contentious, passing by the narrowest margin in the Senate. His nomination faced opposition due to allegations of financial mismanagement at a veterans’ nonprofit, reports of excessive drinking, and a 2017 sexual assault accusation.
Police reports indicate a woman accused Hegseth of sexual assault in a California hotel room during a conference by the California Federation of Republican Women. She alleged Hegseth took her phone, blocked the door, and ignored her repeated refusals.
Hegseth claimed the encounter was consensual. Though police found the woman’s account credible, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges in 2018, citing insufficient evidence for a conviction.
In his confirmation hearings, Hegseth asserted he was “falsely accused” and “completely cleared.” Records show he paid $50,000 to the woman, reportedly to avoid a lawsuit that could have affected his role at Fox News.
The alleged incident occurred two months after Hegseth, then a Fox News host, had a daughter with Rauchet, his then-mistress. Hegseth began dating Rauchet, a network producer, while married to his second wife, Samantha Deering, who is the mother of three of his children.
Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, opposed Hegseth’s nomination, citing the sexual assault allegation and other misconduct claims, including excessive drinking and alleged abuse towards his second wife.
The Pentagon dismissed reports about Hegseth’s Signal use as “fake news.” The controversies continue to challenge his tenure, with a former Pentagon spokesman predicting that Hegseth may soon face removal.
