Another Signal scandal breaks out: Pete Hegseth shared Yemen plans with family

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive information about strikes in Yemen to an encrypted Signal group chat that included his wife and brother

Updated on: Apr 21, 2025, 09:33:41 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive information about strikes in Yemen to an encrypted Signal group chat that included his wife and brother, The New York Times reported, citing sources. This comes weeks after the Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg claimed he was added to a Signal chat group with high-ranking US security officials, who were discussing US air strikes on Yemen.

Pete Hegseth reportedly shared Yemen strike plans with his family members (Getty Images via AFP)

The NYT report added that Hegseth, on a second Signal chat, shared flight schedules for the F/A-18 Hornets targeting the Houthis in Yemen. The information was reportedly sent on March 15. The group included the Trump official's wife, Jennifer Rauchet, his brother, Phil, and a personal lawyer.

Hegseth is yet to issue a response to the New York Times report.

‘Nothing classified was ever discussed’

The publication reported that the information included schedules for the F/A-18 Hornets and essentially the same details that Goldberg claimed he shared in the group, which included him.

Hegseth's wife, a former Fox News producer, is not a Defense Department employee. She, however, has accompanied him overseas on multiple occasions. The defense secretary's brother and lawyer, Tim Parlatore, have jobs in the Pentagon.

Responding to the second Signal row, an official told NYT: “The truth is that there is an informal group chat that started before confirmation of his closest advisers. Nothing classified was ever discussed on that chat.”

First Signal scandal

Signal is a privacy-focused messaging app known for its end-to-end encryption, making it a preferred choice for secure communication. The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief was accidentally added to a Signal group chat, revealing details of a planned bombing in Yemen.

The chat included notable figures such as Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and others, with some located in foreign countries during the discussions.

After The Atlantic disclosed the first Signal chat, Hegseth said: “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that." At a Senate hearing, Tulsi Gabbard asserted the same claim.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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