Is Trump administration planning to replace Pete Hegseth as Pentagon chief? White House responds

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Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon chief, is under scrutiny for allegedly sharing classified military operational information via Signal, potentially compromising US pilot safety. The White House is reportedly considering replacements, though these claims are refuted by the press secretary. Hegseth dismisses misconduct allegations, attributing them to disgruntled former staff, while facing criticism over his experience and Pentagon operations.

The United States Pentagon chief has again became the eye of the storm over sharing the military operational information in a group conversation and it may also leading to his replacement.

The White House has begun the process of looking for a new leader at the Pentagon to replace Pete Hegseth, according to NPR report citing a US official.

The defence secretary faces scrutiny after allegedly disclosing classified information in a group conversation that included his wife, brother and legal representative, according to the official.

The official revealed that Hegseth utilised the Signal messaging application on his personal device to share detailed classified information about Houthi target strikes in Yemen. This occurred around the same period in March when he inadvertently shared similar information with White House officials and a journalist in a separate Signal group. This disclosure, occurring before the strikes, potentially compromised US pilot safety if intercepted by opponents. The Houthis have already successfully downed two American predator drones.

Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, refuted claims about seeking Hegseth’s replacement on X, stating President Trump‘s firm support. Trump dismissed concerns about the Signal conversations as insignificant during a White House press briefing.

At a White House Easter function, Hegseth rejected allegations of misconduct, suggesting media manipulation of discontented former staff members’ accounts.

His statement likely referenced four senior advisers who recently departed the Pentagon. John Ullyot, former Defence Department spokesperson, published an opinion piece describing recent Pentagon operations as chaotic and detrimental to President Trump’s administration.

Three additional Pentagon advisers – Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick – were removed from the premises, facing allegations of press leaks. They released a joint statement on X defending their integrity and military service records.

Caldwell and Selnik previously worked with Hegseth at Concerned Veterans for America, a conservative policy organisation.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen criticised Trump’s appointment of Hegseth, highlighting his lack of experience in managing complex organisations despite his previous role as a weekend television presenter.

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