Hegseth Says ‘Nobody Was Texting War Plans’ in Alleged Group Chat Leak

The defense secretary addressed a report by The Atlantic’s chief editor, who said he was mistakenly added to a group chat on U.S. airstrikes in Yemen.

Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth in the Oval Office of the White House on March 21, 2025. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied reports on Monday that he had discussed classified military operation plans with Trump administration officials through text messages on a Signal group chat that unintentionally included a journalist.

“I’ve heard that was characterized, nobody was texting war plans. And that’s all I have to say about that,” Hegseth told reporters after landing in Hawaii.