White House supports Hegseth, Leavitt claims 'entire Pentagon' is opposing him
Hegseth "is doing phenomenal leading the Pentagon," according to Leavitt, who made this statement during a Monday appearance on "Fox & Friends."
TroibNews 
President Donald Trump "stands strongly behind Pete Hegseth," press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Monday, defending the Defense Secretary amidst intensifying criticism from Democrats and former officials.
Leavitt asserted that Hegseth "is doing phenomenal leading the Pentagon" during her appearance on "Fox & Friends." She added, "This is what happens when the entire Pentagon is working against you and working against the monumental change you are trying to implement."
These remarks followed a report from The New York Times revealing that Hegseth shared sensitive information about military operations in Yemen through a private chat on the Signal app that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. This incident marks the second time Hegseth has been reported to have shared operational plans via unclassified chats, reigniting scrutiny over his decision-making and leadership.
Former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot, who resigned last week, criticized Hegseth by alleging he has thrust the department into dysfunction in an opinion piece for PMG Magazine published Sunday night. Ullyot, once a supporter of the Defense Secretary, claimed Hegseth’s team spread unverified allegations against three recently fired senior officials, accusing them of leaking sensitive information to the media.
"President Donald Trump has a strong record of holding his top officials to account," Ullyot wrote. "Given that, it’s hard to see Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remaining in his role for much longer."
In response to the allegations, Hegseth dismissed them as fallout from his attempts to reform the Pentagon. "Big surprise that a few leakers get fired, and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out from the same media that peddled the Russia hoax," he remarked during the White House Easter egg roll. "We’re changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of warfighters. Slash and burn doesn’t work with me."
While Hegseth has long been a target for Democrats, recent revelations regarding the Pentagon's disarray have intensified their calls for his resignation or dismissal. This scandal has become a focal point as the party seeks to engage its base, counter Trump, and sharpen its critique of his administration, especially given the internal divisions and identity challenges they are currently facing.
Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot, expressed concern on social media, stating, "The Secretary of Defense clearly doesn’t understand the concept of operational security or he doesn’t care. Carelessness puts our service members at risk. If this is true, he has again proven himself unqualified for this job and should resign or be fired."
Senator Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran and member of the Armed Services Committee, directly criticized Hegseth’s impact on troops' safety, saying, "How many times does Pete Hegseth need to leak classified intelligence before Donald Trump and Republicans understand that he isn’t only a f*cking liar, he is a threat to our national security? Every day he stays in his job is another day our troops’ lives are endangered by his singular stupidity."
The wave of criticism from congressional Democrats compounds a tumultuous week at the Pentagon, characterized by senior staff firings amid a leak investigation and open infighting among aides. This has further weakened Hegseth’s position just three months into his role.
Calls for Hegseth's departure have resonated across the Democratic spectrum, from centrist figures like Senate Intelligence ranking member Mark Warner to left-leaning lawmakers such as former Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal and her allies.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, "We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk. But Trump is still too weak to fire him."
This criticism follows reports from The Times that Hegseth disclosed flight schedules of fighter jets poised to strike Houthi targets in Yemen within a Signal chat group composed of personal allies. Unlike a previous Signal chat that mistakenly included the editor of The Atlantic, this particular channel was reportedly established by Hegseth himself.
"You can’t turn chicken shit into chicken salad," remarked Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former Pentagon official, echoing Ullyot’s concerns. "As Hegseth’s staffer is now telling the world, Hegseth has turned the Pentagon into a place of chaos."
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
Leavitt asserted that Hegseth "is doing phenomenal leading the Pentagon" during her appearance on "Fox & Friends." She added, "This is what happens when the entire Pentagon is working against you and working against the monumental change you are trying to implement."
These remarks followed a report from The New York Times revealing that Hegseth shared sensitive information about military operations in Yemen through a private chat on the Signal app that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. This incident marks the second time Hegseth has been reported to have shared operational plans via unclassified chats, reigniting scrutiny over his decision-making and leadership.
Former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot, who resigned last week, criticized Hegseth by alleging he has thrust the department into dysfunction in an opinion piece for PMG Magazine published Sunday night. Ullyot, once a supporter of the Defense Secretary, claimed Hegseth’s team spread unverified allegations against three recently fired senior officials, accusing them of leaking sensitive information to the media.
"President Donald Trump has a strong record of holding his top officials to account," Ullyot wrote. "Given that, it’s hard to see Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remaining in his role for much longer."
In response to the allegations, Hegseth dismissed them as fallout from his attempts to reform the Pentagon. "Big surprise that a few leakers get fired, and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out from the same media that peddled the Russia hoax," he remarked during the White House Easter egg roll. "We’re changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of warfighters. Slash and burn doesn’t work with me."
While Hegseth has long been a target for Democrats, recent revelations regarding the Pentagon's disarray have intensified their calls for his resignation or dismissal. This scandal has become a focal point as the party seeks to engage its base, counter Trump, and sharpen its critique of his administration, especially given the internal divisions and identity challenges they are currently facing.
Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot, expressed concern on social media, stating, "The Secretary of Defense clearly doesn’t understand the concept of operational security or he doesn’t care. Carelessness puts our service members at risk. If this is true, he has again proven himself unqualified for this job and should resign or be fired."
Senator Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran and member of the Armed Services Committee, directly criticized Hegseth’s impact on troops' safety, saying, "How many times does Pete Hegseth need to leak classified intelligence before Donald Trump and Republicans understand that he isn’t only a f*cking liar, he is a threat to our national security? Every day he stays in his job is another day our troops’ lives are endangered by his singular stupidity."
The wave of criticism from congressional Democrats compounds a tumultuous week at the Pentagon, characterized by senior staff firings amid a leak investigation and open infighting among aides. This has further weakened Hegseth’s position just three months into his role.
Calls for Hegseth's departure have resonated across the Democratic spectrum, from centrist figures like Senate Intelligence ranking member Mark Warner to left-leaning lawmakers such as former Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal and her allies.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, "We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk. But Trump is still too weak to fire him."
This criticism follows reports from The Times that Hegseth disclosed flight schedules of fighter jets poised to strike Houthi targets in Yemen within a Signal chat group composed of personal allies. Unlike a previous Signal chat that mistakenly included the editor of The Atlantic, this particular channel was reportedly established by Hegseth himself.
"You can’t turn chicken shit into chicken salad," remarked Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former Pentagon official, echoing Ullyot’s concerns. "As Hegseth’s staffer is now telling the world, Hegseth has turned the Pentagon into a place of chaos."
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
