Mike Waltz Ouster Shines Spotlight on Pete Hegseth
President Donald Trump’s ouster of national security adviser Mike Waltz has shined the spotlight on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Newsweek reached out to the Department of Defense (DOD) via email Thursday for comment. Why It Matters The DOD has faced increased scrutiny after Hegseth and other top Trump administration officials engaged in a Signal group […]
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Will Pete Hegseth Be Fired? What to Know
The White House has batted away reports the Trump administration is looking for a new Secretary of Defense after fresh controversy swirled around incumbent Pete Hegseth and his handling of sensitive military information. Why It Matters Hegseth, still within the first 100 days of U.S. President Donald Trump‘s second administration, has been a magnet for […]
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Ousted Hegseth Official Says He Wasn’t Told Why He Was Investigated
Dan Caldwell, former top adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, said he has not been told why he was being investigated and if there is still an inquiry ongoing amid an internal probe into leaks at the Department of Defense (DOD). Newsweek reached out to the DOD via email Monday for comment. Why It Matters […]
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Trump Backs Hegseth After Second Signal Chat Leak: Live Updates
By Amanda M. Castro is a Newsweek Live Blog Editor based in New York. Her focus is reporting on U.S. politics, breaking news, consumer topics, and entertainment. She specializes in delivering in-depth news and live blog reporting and has experience covering U.S. presidential debates, awards shows, and more. Amanda joined Newsweek in 2024 […]
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Top DOD Officials Under Hegseth Fired Amid Leak Probe: Reports
Department of Defense (DOD) officials under Secretary Pete Hegseth who were previously placed on administrative leave this week have been fired, according to a statement from the individual issued on Saturday and media reports on Friday. Why It Matters The department has faced heavy scrutiny recently after Hegseth and other top Trump Cabinet officials engaged […]
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Second Defense Official Under Pete Hegseth Reportedly Placed on Leave
Two Department of Defense (DOD) officials are now reportedly on administrative leave Tuesday night amid investigations of internal leaks within the agency. Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon via email and phone for comment. Why It Matters The DOD has faced recent scrutiny after Hegseth and other top Trump Cabinet officials engaged in a Signal […]
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DOGE Cuts Update: Pete Hegseth Announces $5.1 Billion DOD Contract Cuts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the Department of Defense (DOD) will cut $5.1 billion in “wasteful” spending. In a video on Thursday, Hegseth said he was signing a memo directing the termination of $5.1 billion in DOD contracts. The cuts include contracts worth $1.8 billion for consulting services from private firms for the […]
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‘SNL Weekend Update’ Mocks Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Immigration Plans and Tesla
Saturday Night Live (SNL) Weekend Update hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che targeted President Donald Trump‘s administration in a blistering satirical segment, delivering sharp-witted jabs at the Signal scandal involving leaked military plans and other political missteps. The Context The swipes come amid a tumultuous week for the administration, as news broke that Secretary of […]
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More Republicans Want Pete Hegseth to Resign Than Want Him to Stay—Poll
A plurality of Republicans believe Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth should resign after he shared sensitive military attack plans in a Signal group chat with other top Trump administration officials and journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, according to a new poll. Newsweek reached out to the Defense Department via email for comment on Saturday. Why It Matters […]
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Included Wife in Sensitive Meetings: Report
A new report says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth brought his wife to “sensitive” meetings with foreign officials. The report comes amid intense scrutiny of Trump administration officials for using an encrypted app, Signal, to reportedly communicate military plans while including a journalist on the thread. Newsweek reached out to the Department of Defense (DOD) via […]
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