United States President Donald Trump is standing behind Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid mounting media scrutiny over reports alleging he shared sensitive military planning information via a private Signal chat. The White House reaffirmed the president’s support on Monday, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating on Fox News that Trump "stands behind" Hegseth.

The controversy centers around a Signal group chat created during Hegseth’s confirmation hearings. According to reports by CNN and The New York Times, the group included his wife, brother, and lawyer. It allegedly served as a channel for Hegseth’s inner circle to strategize, and reportedly included details about military operations against Yemen-based Houthi rebels.

In response, Hegseth’s spokesman Sean Parnell firmly denied any wrongdoing. “There was no classified information shared in any Signal chat,” he stated. Parnell also criticized the media for relying on sources he described as recently fired individuals who aim "to sabotage the Secretary and the President's agenda."

Adding to the tensions, several of Hegseth’s top aides have been placed on leave in recent days, including Chief of Staff Joe Kasper and Press Secretary John Ullyot. Ullyot described recent weeks as "a month of total chaos at the Pentagon," warning that the dysfunction is becoming a major distraction for the administration.

Despite the claims and internal turmoil, the administration maintains its support for Hegseth, positioning the allegations as politically motivated attacks rather than legitimate security concerns. The situation underscores broader tensions within the Pentagon and highlights ongoing challenges for President Trump’s defense leadership team.