"A full-scale meltdown."
Hegseth's former press secretary John Ullyot does not mince words when he, in a debate article in Politico, tells about leaks, personal attacks, and a dysfunctional atmosphere at the Pentagon. The former loyalist writes that President Donald Trump "deserves better" and predicts that Hegseth cannot sit for much longer.
The outburst comes after what has been called Signalgate: On March 15, Hegseth and several other high-ranking officials and politicians used the Signal app to discuss attack plans against Yemen. The move received widespread attention, both due to the security risk and because the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic was mistakenly invited to the chat.
Dozens in the chat
But the same day, the Defense Minister discussed the air strike in another Signal chat group on his private phone, according to four anonymous sources for The New York Times.
Among others, Pete Hegseth's wife, former TV producer Jennifer Hegseth, was part of the discussion. She has previously accompanied him on trips and attended meetings with foreign leaders, which has sparked criticism.
Phil Hegseth and Tim Parlatore, Pete Hegseth's brother and lawyer, respectively, were also part of the group of about a dozen people from the Defense Minister's inner circle. Both work at the Pentagon, but neither has a role that requires them to be informed about upcoming military attacks.
Hegseth is said to have created the chat group when he was to be questioned by the Senate and needed strategic advice on how to handle certain questions – including his lack of experience in military leadership, opposition to women in combat roles, and why he was investigated for sexual assault in 2017.
Chaotic Pentagon
Hegseth and the White House dismiss the reports of the new chat as a "non-story".
Anonymous mudslinging from disgruntled former employees about old news has no significance, Hegseth tells reporters outside the White House.
Last week, three high-ranking officials at the Defense Department were fired. Hegseth's own chief of staff is also on his way out, according to Politico.
It is unclear whether John Ullyot was fired or left voluntarily.
In Congress, Democratic voices are now calling for Hegseth's resignation.
"Trump is still too weak to fire him", writes Chuck Schumer, minority leader in the Senate, on X.
44-year-old Pete Hegseth has been a commentator and program host on Fox News since 2014. He has also been a national guardsman and served in Cuba and Iraq.
Politically, he has questioned women's roles in combat and opposed a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
President Donald Trump's decision to appoint him as Defense Minister sparked sharp criticism. Among other things, he was accused of lacking experience, having alcohol problems, and committing sexual assault. Hegseth was investigated in 2017 for suspected sexual assault, but no charges were filed.
In the vote on him, the Senate, the chamber that approves ministerial appointments, was divided. There were even Republicans (Trump's party) who wanted to vote no. In the end, Vice President JD Vance cast the decisive vote and Hegseth was approved.
