After Trump's Signalgate: New security lapse surrounding Hegseth – Meetings with high-ranking politicians affected

Astrid Lund - Betty MacDonald fan club organizer: "What else has to happen for Donald Trump to fire Defense Secretary Pete Hegeseth? Pete brings his family to secret talks. Is the U.S. a banana republic?"---------------- Frankfurter Rundschau After Trump's Signalgate: New security lapse surrounding Hegseth – Meetings with high-ranking politicians affected Lisa Mahnke • 3 days • 3 minutes read Sensitive Data US Defense Secretary Hegseth is once again under fire following the Signals affair. He took his wife to sensitive meetings, which raises questions. Washington, D.C. – US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is once again under fire for his handling of sensitive information. US media reported on two sensitive meetings where Pete Hegseth's companion was apparently out of place. He brought his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, with him – and may have influenced the conversation. According to the Wall Street Journal, one of the meetings took place on March 6, the day after the US ended its intelligence sharing with Ukraine. In an attempt to promote rapprochement, British Defense Secretary John Healey visited the Pentagon, along with, among others, the head of the British armed forces, Tony Radakin. Did the conversation influence the course of the meeting? Pete Hegseth brings his wife to Ukraine meeting Jennifer Hegseth also attended a meeting of the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine in Brussels in February. The group includes approximately 50 member states, who discuss aid in the Ukraine war at the meetings. According to the Wall Street Journal, Pete Hegseth's wife caused confusion at the meeting; some were unaware of Jennifer Hegseth's identity. The meeting continued without objection, although it is unclear whether her presence may have influenced the conversation. At least during meetings with US senators, where Jennifer Hegseth was also present, her presence is said to have caused some hesitation, according to people involved. This particularly concerned questions related to alleged infidelity and sexual misconduct. Hegseth stated at a press conference in Brussels that his wife had met with the families of US soldiers in Belgium and Germany. It is also not uncommon for politicians to bring their spouses with them when traveling. Often in the background: Pete Hegseth's wife Jennifer accompanies him even to sensitive meetings. Even at sensitive meetings: Jennifer Hegseth's presence raises questions. The situation is quite different at national security meetings. The Department of Defense's guest list for such meetings is otherwise very limited to people who absolutely need to be present to discuss sensitive information. Security forces on site would keep out uninvited guests. According to Department of Defense officials, Jennifer Hegseth is not a department employee. Whether she might have authority to discuss low-security matters, which is not unusual for spouses of senior officials and ministers, remained unanswered. "When you meet with ministers or high-level NATO officials, these meetings almost always involve sensitive security discussions," said Chuck Hagel, a Republican and former Secretary of Defense under President Barack Obama. "When you discuss top-secret national security issues, you have to be very selective. What is the relevance of the person you invite?" There's no real biographical answer to this question either. Jennifer Hegseth met her husband while working at Fox News, where she worked for many years as a producer. She later became a vice president at Fox Nation, the network's streaming service. However, according to Fox News spokeswoman Irena Briganti, she is no longer employed there. Having the Secretary of Defense's wife present at meetings would have "introduced a problem that you don't need to introduce," Hagel said. Hegseth Possibly Engages in Illegal Nepotism – Signals Affair to Be Investigated In addition to his wife, Pete Hegseth is also bringing his younger brother, Philip Hegseth, who recently reportedly began working as an advisor to the Department of Homeland Security and a liaison to the Department of Defense. Philip Hegseth is the founder of a podcast production company and part of the conservative think tank "The Hudson Institute." According to Newsweek, his current role in the US government could potentially violate the federal Nepotism Act of 1967. According to Pentagon spokeswoman Kingsley Wilson, the Hegseths are currently traveling in Asia to visit US allies and military bases.