Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire after using an unsecured messaging app to discuss U.S. war plans—just as he and Trump credit a surge in enlistments to the rollback of “woke” military policies.
At a Glance
- Military recruitment rose as “woke” policies ended
- Hegseth used Signal app to share sensitive war info
- National Security Adviser resigned over Yemen strike leak
- Critics say Trump undermined his own military law
- Investigations underway into improper use of messaging apps
Enlistment Climbs as Culture Wars Hit the Barracks
President Donald Trump’s defense strategy has drawn praise from conservatives for boosting military enlistment, a trend Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attributes to the dismantling of “woke” Pentagon programs. Hegseth claims that discarding diversity and inclusion initiatives has rekindled a warrior ethos and renewed focus on mission over ideology.
Hegseth specifically touted the end of the Pentagon’s “Women, Peace & Security” program, calling it emblematic of the social distractions he believes weaken the military. However, according to reporting from The New Republic, that program was actually signed into law by Trump himself, making its repeal politically ironic.
Watch ABC News’ report on the incident at Trump hopes Hegseth is a ‘great defense secretary’ despite Signal scandal.
Secret Group Chats and Signal Shenanigans
The enlistment win was soon overshadowed by a national security controversy. Hegseth allegedly used the encrypted Signal app on an unauthorized device to discuss top-secret military operations. As reported by The Daily Beast, he even added family members and a Fox News producer to these chats, further deepening concerns over protocol violations.
The scandal escalated after National Security Adviser Mike Waltz mistakenly included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal thread discussing potential U.S. military action in Yemen. As covered by news.com.au, Waltz resigned immediately after the leak surfaced, sparking calls for broader resignations.
Fallout, Resignations, and Mixed Messages
Following Waltz’s exit, Deputy National Security Adviser Alex Wong also stepped down, according to The Sun. These resignations have brought new scrutiny to Trump’s inner circle and their approach to operational security.
Meanwhile, AP News confirmed that Hegseth had installed an unauthorized Wi-Fi router in his Pentagon office to access Signal—a violation of standard cybersecurity procedures. Though Trump maintains public support for Hegseth, some GOP allies privately express concern about the pattern of risky communications.
In a bizarre twist, Hegseth’s dismantling of “woke” military culture—especially the rollback of programs enacted under Trump—has angered some on both sides. AP News notes that former Trump officials are baffled by the move, calling it contradictory and performative.
Congress Weighs In as Pressure Mounts
Democratic lawmakers are demanding accountability. Representative Jerry Nadler stated, as quoted by Time, “Using unsecured apps to share war plans with your wife and brother-in-law isn’t leadership—it’s reckless.”
Despite the backlash, Trump defended Hegseth during a televised interview, telling ABC News: “He’s talented, smart, and highly educated. I think he’s gonna be a very good—hopefully a great—defense secretary.”
Still, when pressed about whether he had total confidence in his pick, Trump candidly replied, “I don’t have a hundred percent confidence in anything. That’s a stupid question.”
As Hegseth and Trump push forward with their ideological overhaul of the armed forces, critics warn that purging “wokeness” may have unintended consequences—especially when national security is at stake.
