Rep. Bacon Condemns Alleged Information Sharing by Defense Secretary Hegseth

Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska has expressed strong disapproval of allegations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive information about military operations in a private Signal group chat, Fox News reports.

Bacon, a retired military officer and member of the House Armed Services Committee, stated that such actions would be “unacceptable” if the reports are true.

The controversy stems from a New York Times report alleging Hegseth shared details about the March 15 strikes in Yemen targeting the Houthis in a Signal group chat that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. This follows previous reports about Hegseth sharing similar information with an editor of The Atlantic in a separate Signal chat.

“If the reporting is true, this is unacceptable. I would never tell the White House what to do, but I wouldn’t tolerate it,” Bacon said.

He previously expressed reservations about Hegseth’s experience upon his nomination.

However, the White House has staunchly defended Hegseth, denying any classified information was shared. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly dismissed the reports as “fake news” fueled by “recently fired ‘leakers’” attempting to undermine the president’s agenda.

“No matter how many times the legacy media tries to resurrect the same nonstory, they can’t change the fact that no classified information was shared,” Kelly stated.

President Trump himself has dismissed the reporting, praising Hegseth’s leadership and the armed forces’ recruitment rates. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, stating the president “stands strongly behind Secretary Hegseth, who is doing a phenomenal job leading the Pentagon.”

Facing questioning during the White House Easter Egg roll, Hegseth attributed the controversy to “disgruntled employees” and “anonymous smears.”

“This is why we’re fighting the fake news media. This group right here is full of hoaxsters,” Hegseth said.

The Trump administration maintains that no classified material was transmitted in the Signal chat, an encrypted messaging app designed to ensure privacy and security.