Jeff McCausland CBS News Military Analyst

The White House has expressed support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following media reports that he shared sensitive military details in another Signal messaging chat that included his wife and brother. President Donald Trump on Monday called it “fake news” and pointed to what he called disgruntled workers. The administration's posture is meant to hold the line against Democratic demands for Hegseth’s firing at a time when the Pentagon is engulfed in turmoil, including the departures of several senior aides. The White House has framed the revelation as the outgrowth of a power struggle between Hegseth and the career workforce. CBS News Military Analyst Jeff McCausland talked with Jeff Hamlin about Hegseth’s standing at the White House