Media: Trump’s defence chief under pressure amid leaks, Pentagon turmoil

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly growing increasingly anxious about his position following a series of damaging leaks and high-level dismissals that have plunged the Pentagon into disarray.

The embattled defence chief is said to be concerned about how President Donald Trump is perceiving his performance amid mounting political and institutional crises, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Wall Street Journal.

Hegseth’s fears intensified after revelations emerged that he had brought his wife to sensitive briefings and shared information about US military operations in Yemen via a private Signal chat involving his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. The chat also reportedly included discussions around unconfirmed plans for military options in the Panama Canal, raising further questions over his handling of classified matters.

The leaks, which have triggered widespread unease within the Pentagon, have been followed by a string of abrupt dismissals targeting several of Hegseth’s close aides and advisers. Many of the fired staff, including figures who supported him during his confirmation process, deny wrongdoing and have questioned the motives behind the purge. One ousted adviser, Dan Caldwell, claimed in a televised interview that the internal investigation had been "weaponised" and warned the Department of Defence could not afford to remain "consumed by chaos."

President Trump has publicly stood by Hegseth, calling him “a great leader” and blaming “disgruntled employees” for the leaks. However, senior administration officials say Trump has privately begun to question Hegseth’s performance and has sought opinions from advisers on whether he remains the right person for the job. Hegseth has recently spoken to Trump over the phone and met him at the White House, though insiders describe those interactions as increasingly tense.

Inside the Pentagon, officials describe a leadership vacuum and growing confusion over who holds authority within Hegseth’s team, with one official likening the atmosphere to a “revolving door” of staff. Key positions, including chief of staff, deputy chief of staff and senior adviser, remain unfilled. The upheaval has also delayed Hegseth during key meetings on his first Asia-Pacific tour.

Despite advice from close confidants to project composure, Hegseth has adopted a combative public stance. In a speech at the US Army War College in Pennsylvania, he dismissed the criticism, saying, “The media likes to call it chaos. We call it overdue.” He continues to appeal to his political base through social media and appearances with troops, portraying himself as a reformer confronting entrenched bureaucrats and a so-called “deep state.”

However, defence officials have expressed concern over his increasingly insular leadership style. Hegseth has narrowed his inner circle, appointing Marine Col. Ricky Buria—who is retiring from military service, to serve as a top aide. Sean Parnell, a longtime ally and the current Pentagon spokesman, is also expected to join the secretary’s shrinking advisory team.

Republican lawmakers are also growing restless. Several on Capitol Hill have voiced frustration over the recent dismissals, particularly of staff who had served as key congressional liaisons. At least one senator has urged Hegseth to bring in more experienced advisers.

Despite speculation, Hegseth has denied sharing classified material, insisting that the controversial group chat was limited to “informal, unclassified coordinations for media coordination and other things.” Nonetheless, concerns persist inside and outside the department regarding his judgment and the widening gulf between Hegseth and the Pentagon’s senior leadership.

Though regarded by some foreign partners as surprisingly affable in private meetings, Hegseth’s public image has become increasingly polarising. Officials from countries including Panama have reportedly sought his support, viewing him as a more accessible and effective channel to Trump than figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Hegseth, a former Army National Guard major with limited experience at the highest levels of defence policy, was appointed with a mandate to shake up the Pentagon. But critics argue that his approach has instead fuelled instability at a time when US military operations abroad and tensions at home demand steady leadership.

By Aghakazim Guliyev