Breaking News: President Donald Trump is facing growing pressure to dismiss U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following the leak of highly sensitive war plans through the encrypted messaging app Signal…..See More

Will Trump Have To Fire Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth? Pressure Mounts After War Plans Leak

President Donald Trump is facing growing pressure to dismiss U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following the leak of highly sensitive war plans through the encrypted messaging app Signal. The controversy erupted after it was revealed that a private chat between top U.S. officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Hegseth, was mistakenly shared with a journalist.

President Donald Trump is facing growing pressure to dismiss U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following the leak of highly sensitive war plans through the encrypted messaging app Signal. The controversy erupted after it was revealed that a private chat between top U.S. officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Hegseth, was mistakenly shared with a journalist.

The leaked conversation detailed plans for airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, which took place on March 15. The incident has sparked outrage among lawmakers, with some calling for immediate action against those involved.

Democrats Demand Hegseth’s Removal
Leading the charge for accountability, Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described Hegseth as “the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in American history” in a strongly worded letter.

“His continued presence in the top position of leadership at the Pentagon threatens the nation’s security and puts our brave men and women in uniform throughout the world in danger,” Jeffries wrote. “His behavior shocks the conscience, risked American lives, and likely violated the law. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth should be fired immediately.”

Trump Dismisses Concerns, Defends Officials
Speaking at the White House, Trump downplayed the seriousness of the leak, arguing that the chat contained “no classified information.”

“They were using an app, as I understand it, that a lot of people in government use, a lot of people in the media use,” he told reporters.

Trump also defended his National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, who mistakenly added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to the Signal conversation.

“Michael Waltz has learned a lesson, and he’s a good man,” Trump told NBC News. While he acknowledged that officials would “probably” stop using Signal for sensitive discussions, he did not commit to a full investigation, despite calls from Democrats for high-level resignations.

What Was Leaked?
The private chat on Signal included high-ranking officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

While Gabbard and Ratcliffe testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee that no classified information was shared, Democratic senators remain skeptical. According to The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, Hegseth disclosed operational details, including information about targets, weaponry, and attack sequencing.

Republican Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to investigate Trump administration officials’ use of Signal for military discussions.