U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, dismissing concerns over Hegseth’s alleged use of the unclassified messaging app Signal to share sensitive military plans. The controversy arises as the Pentagon faces heightened scrutiny over internal leaks and security protocols.
According to Reuters, Hegseth reportedly disclosed details of a March 15 airstrike targeting Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group in a Signal chat group that included family members and personal associates. This follows a prior incident involving Hegseth’s use of the platform, which had already drawn warnings from security advisors.
Trump praised Hegseth’s performance, stating, "Pete’s doing a great job. Everybody’s happy with him," and emphasized the administration’s intensified campaign against the Houthis, who have been central to regional tensions in the Middle East—a strategic focal point for Asian energy markets and global security analysts.
The Pentagon Inspector General has launched an investigation into the matter, underscoring concerns about secure communication practices. Meanwhile, the White House denied reports of seeking a replacement for Hegseth, whose wife and brother were reportedly included in the Signal group discussions.
Analysts note that the incident highlights broader challenges in balancing operational transparency with cybersecurity—a topic of growing relevance to Asian governments and businesses navigating digital governance frameworks.
