The Pentagon's watchdog is looking into whether any of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's aides were asked to delete Signal messages that may have shared sensitive military information with a reporter,

WASHINGTON—A Pentagon inspector general investigation into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of the Signal messaging service is focusing on whether details of a military operation were classified and if anyone ordered texts to be deleted,

At least three people have turned down potential roles working for the defense secretary and former Fox News host. Supporters say his leadership has been effective.

According to four current and former administration officials and a Republican congressional aide, NBC News reported that the Trump administration has been searching to find a new chief of staff and several senior advisers for Hegseth after a tumultuous start to his role at the Defense Department.

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faces tough questions from Congress on military spending and security issues in hearings.

Hegseth has already has faced questions over the installation of an unsecured internet line in his office that bypassed Pentagon security protocols and revelations that he shared details about US military strikes in multiple Signal chats.

A new round of smears is being deployed against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in advance of his Senate appearance next month.

Chief of staff to the secretary of defense is usually a prestigious and sought-after job, but under Pete Hegseth, the White House is reportedly having trouble filling it. At least three people have turned down top Defense Department jobs—including chief of staff and several senior adviser roles—since Hegseth abruptly fired three of his top aides in April and accused them of leaking information to the press,

The Pentagon’s watchdog is looking into whether any of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s aides were asked to delete Signal messages that may have shared sensitive military information with a reporter, according to two people familiar with the investigation and documents reviewed by The Associated Press.

The Pentagon’s watchdog is probing if aides to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were asked to delete Signal messages about Yemen airstrikes. Hegseth will testify next week.