The controversy about the leaks shake again to the White House after it was confirmed that the current Secretary of Defense of the United StatesPete Hegseth, shared sensitive information about air attacks against huti positions In Yemen through a second chat group in the Signal application where members of their family and their nearby circle were.
Incident details
March 15, Hegseth He disseminated operational details about imminent bombingsincluding fighter flight schedules A chat deprived of Signal, toInstant messaging and called with emphasis on privacy and security, which he had created before officially assuming the position. Among the 13 participants of this group were His wifeJennifer Hegseth. His brother Phil (Advisor in the Department of Security National and assigned to the pentagon), And your personal lawyer Tim Parlatore (Navy reservist and also linked to Hegseth’s office).
The Shared information in this second chat was similar to what Hegseth I had already transmitted that same day in another group of Signal, in whichby mistake, the editor of the medium ‘The Atlantic’ also participated, What had already generated controversy weeks ago.
Reactions and controversy
The use of this application has increased the Doubts about the security protocols and the judgment of the Secretary of Defense. According to sources cited by The New York Times and other media, Hegseth advisors had previously warned him about the risks of sharing operational data on unofficial platforms.
He Pentagon has denied that classified information has been disclosed and He maintains that there was no violation of national security. The main spokesman of the Department of Defense, Sean Parnell, described the reports as “garbage” and attributed the leaks to “former discontent employees”. However, security experts and some officials have expressed Concern for the exhibition of tactical details to people outside the official defense structureas Hegseth’s wife, and for the precedent that feels the use of unofficial channels to discuss such delicate issues.
“There was no classified information in any chat of Signal, no matter how many ways try to write the story. What is true is that The Office of the Secretary of Defense continues to strengthen itself and becoming more efficient In the execution of the president’s agenda (Donald) Trump, “he said.
Context and consequences
This new episode adds to a series of recent incidents that They have questioned the management of information security in the Pentagon. Revelation has coincided with the dismissal of several advisors close to Hegsethaccused of filtering information without authorization.
The Military Operation in Yemenwhich motivated these communicationsit was one of Hegseth’s first relevant actions as head of the Pentagon And it occurred andn Response to Hutis attacks against international ships in the Red Sea.
The matter remains under internal investigation, while criticisms on confidential information management in the US defense dome grow.
