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Congressman Pat Ryan, representing New York's 18th Congressional District, has called for the dismissal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Ryan, an Iraq War veteran, claims Hegseth jeopardized national security by sharing classified military plans in a commercial messaging chatroom. The controversy centers around Hegseth's use of the Signal app to discuss operational details about U.S. military strikes in Yemen.
According to The Intelligencer, Hegseth reportedly shared sensitive information in a Signal chat with his wife, brother, and lawyer. This follows a previous incident where he accidentally included a journalist in a chat with top White House officials. The leaks raised concerns about the safety of U.S. pilots and the potential interception of information by adversaries.
Despite the backlash, President Trump has expressed support for Hegseth. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the President "stands strongly" behind him. Trump dismissed concerns over the Signal chats as a "waste of time" and praised Hegseth's performance.
The White House has denied any efforts to replace Hegseth, though the Washington Post reports that a search for a new Pentagon leader is underway. Critics, including New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, have questioned Hegseth's qualifications, citing his lack of experience in leading a large organization.
The situation remains tense as lawmakers and cybersecurity experts continue to scrutinize Hegseth's actions and the Trump administration's handling of national defense information.