Trump 'stands strongly behind' Hegseth after new Signal report: White House

President Trump "absolutely has confidence" in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the White House said Monday as the Pentagon leader finds himself embroiled in a new controversy and is facing criticism from a former top spokesperson.

"The President absolutely has confidence in Secretary Hegseth. I spoke to him about it this morning, and he stands strongly behind him," press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House.

The New York Times reported late Sunday that Hegseth shared sensitive information about planned strikes in Yemen in a private chat on the Signal app that included his wife, his brother and his personal lawyer.

It marked the second Signal chat in which Hegseth shared details about planned strikes against the Houthis. The editor-in-chief of The Atlantic was mistakenly included in a Signal chat of administration officials last month where Hegseth sent information about military plans.

Also on Sunday, recently departed Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot penned an opinion piece for Politico in which he wrote, "the building is in disarray under Hegseth’s leadership." There has been a wave of departures of top officials in recent days amid a probe for leaks.

Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News host, was narrowly confirmed by the Senate in January. Vice President JD Vance had to break a tie to solidify his confirmation.

A spokesman for the Pentagon has pushed back on the latest allegations involving Signal and Hegseth.

“Another day, another old story—back from the dead. The Trump-hating media continues to be obsessed with destroying anyone committed to President Trump’s agenda," DoD spokesman Sean Parnell said in the statement.

"This time, the New York Times — and all other Fake News that repeat their garbage — are enthusiastically taking the grievances of disgruntled former employees as the sole sources for their article. They relied only on the words of people who were fired this week and appear to have a motive to sabotage the Secretary and the President’s agenda.”

Hegseth was narrowly approved in a Senate confirmation vote and there have been signs of GOP senators losing patience with him.