White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also addressed the situation, refuting an NPR report suggesting the president was considering a replacement for Hegseth. “This story is inaccurate and based on an anonymous source,” she said in a statement. “The President continues to have full confidence in Secretary Hegseth.”
The controversy was sparked by an earlier incident in which The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, was mistakenly included in a group Signal chat involving national security officials. The chat allegedly discussed plans for a military strike, though White House officials have since clarified that the inclusion was accidental and that no critical information was shared beyond the administration.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz reportedly accepted responsibility for the mishap, according to statements from President Trump, who said the issue was handled internally and had no broader implications. “There was no harm done,” Trump said. “The mission was highly successful.”
Despite ongoing political commentary and calls for accountability from some members of Congress, the White House continues to stand behind Secretary Hegseth and insists that national security operations remain secure and well-coordinated.
What’s your take on the ongoing debate around information security and leadership at the Pentagon? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.