Former U.S. Navy Adm. James Stavridis criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday for reportedly using Signal to share sensitive military plans with Trump officials, family members, and his attorney.
Stavridis emphasized that Hegseth, a former U.S. Army major, should have known better than to engage in such behavior, given his training to safeguard national secrets.
Hegseth’s actions, which included disclosing details of upcoming attacks in Yemen via Signal chats, have raised concerns about his suitability for his position.
Stavridis referred to the situation as “Signalgate 2.0,” highlighting the inappropriate sharing of classified information with individuals who do not have a legitimate need to know.
The controversy surrounding Hegseth’s conduct comes on the heels of a tumultuous week at the Pentagon, during which he dismissed three advisors, prompting criticism from Stavridis regarding loyalty and accountability.
Stavridis also pointed to a recent opinion piece by John Ullyot, a former top Pentagon spokesman, who asserted that the fired individuals were not responsible for the leaks within the Defense Department.
As the situation unfolds, it is evident that the repercussions of Hegseth’s actions are far-reaching and raise significant questions about transparency and security within the government.
