Insiders Reveal Pete Hegseth's Disturbing State After Signalgate Scandal: Constant Need for Family and Legal Support

The aftermath of the Signal-gate scandal has taken a significant toll on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to multiple sources within the Pentagon. The scandal, which involved the unintended inclusion of The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg in a sensitive military conversation during a drone strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen, has left Hegseth in a state of heightened paranoia and fear.

New reports reveal that the once confident and decisive leader has become increasingly anxious, with his personal life and decision-making heavily impacted by the incident. As Hegseth faces intense scrutiny, insiders have noted that the scandal has consumed his every waking moment, preventing him from fully focusing on the critical tasks at hand—national security.

Signal-gate occurred in March 2025 when National Security Advisor Michael Waltz accidentally added Jeffrey Goldberg to a secure chat platform, where national security officials were discussing the ongoing drone strike in Yemen. The conversation, which contained sensitive military details, was supposed to be restricted to high-ranking officials, but Goldberg’s inclusion on the platform raised concerns about a potential breach of national security.

This embarrassing mistake quickly spiraled into a political nightmare, thrusting Hegseth into the spotlight at a time when his confirmation earlier in the year had already raised eyebrows.

Six sources who spoke to New York magazine described a changed man in the wake of the scandal. Hegseth, once known for his bold approach to military strategy, appeared more paranoid, fearful, and less decisive. “He seemed more prone to anger and less likely to make the wrong decision,” said one insider. “It was as if the scandal had completely paralyzed him.”

The sources explained that Hegseth's once creative approach to leading the Pentagon had all but disappeared. “The Pentagon seemed to stop being creative. It became a mechanism for implementing executive orders,” one source added. Hegseth’s leadership was reduced to responding to directives rather than initiating his own vision for military policy.

In addition to his increasing anxiety, Hegseth began to rely heavily on his personal lawyer, Tim Parlatore, and his wife, Jennifer, for support. According to multiple reports, Hegseth was seen regularly having them present, even in official Pentagon meetings.

This unusual behavior, particularly his need for legal counsel and family around him, caused confusion among foreign officials and added to the sense of instability surrounding his leadership.

Other reports suggest that Hegseth had set up a separate, unsecured internet line in his office and was operating a second group chat with Parlatore, his wife, and his brother. These actions, while possibly intended to maintain his privacy and security, only raised further questions about his state of mind.

Sources close to Hegseth said that the scandal was consuming him to the point that he could no longer focus on the national security challenges facing the country.

Hegseth’s confirmation as Secretary of Defense had already been a contentious issue earlier in the year. Reports of Hegseth’s controversial views on women in the military, as well as allegations of drinking on the job and sexual misconduct—which he denied—had left some senators wary of approving him.

The Signal-gate scandal only exacerbated concerns about Hegseth’s ability to lead, with his critics questioning whether he was fit for the job.

In response to the scandal, Hegseth lashed out at Goldberg, calling him a “deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist” and accusing him of peddling false narratives, such as the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax. However, when Goldberg published screenshots of the chat that revealed national security officials, including Hegseth, had been discussing war plans, it became clear that the leak had indeed occurred under Hegseth’s watch.

This revelation was another blow to Hegseth’s credibility and further intensified the scrutiny surrounding his leadership.

Hegseth’s inability to manage his team effectively has also come under fire. The Pentagon has been plagued with internal infighting, particularly with his chief of staff, Joe Kasper. Sources reported that Kasper had clashed with senior aides in the Pentagon, including Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, over various issues, including his management style and his involvement in the scandal.

The tensions came to a head when Hegseth’s allies—Caldwell, Selnick, and Carroll—were dismissed from their positions. According to sources, these firings were not merely a result of the Signal-gate scandal but were part of an ongoing power struggle within the Pentagon.

Carroll, one of the dismissed aides, was vocal in his frustration, accusing Hegseth of being unable to properly manage personnel issues. “Pete can’t even be a good villain,” Carroll remarked in an interview. “He can’t fire people properly without it coming back to haunt him.”

Hegseth’s leadership decisions have further eroded his relationships with his top staff. The dismissals left Hegseth isolated, with many in the Pentagon questioning his ability to lead the department through such turbulent times.

One source close to Hegseth described the situation as a “complete disaster,” stating that Hegseth’s reluctance to make tough decisions was further complicating the situation.

In addition to the fallout from Signal-gate, Hegseth found himself embroiled in another controversy involving potential military action in Greenland and Panama. Reports emerged that the U.S. had contingency plans for military action in these regions, which led to aggressive questioning on Capitol Hill.

Hegseth defended the deployment of Marines to Los Angeles, despite the $134 million cost, but he was forced to address questions about these new military ambitions. The pressure from lawmakers and the media only added to Hegseth’s already fragile state.

Hegseth’s leadership at the Pentagon has been further undermined by his failure to fill key positions, including the role of chief of staff and deputy chief of staff. The White House has reportedly been unsuccessful in getting Hegseth to accept their candidates for these roles, and top defense officials have declined to take on these positions.

This failure to establish a solid leadership team has raised concerns about the stability of the Pentagon during Hegseth’s tenure.

Pete Hegseth’s tenure as Secretary of Defense has been marked by scandal, internal turmoil, and increasing paranoia. The Signal-gate scandal has exposed his vulnerabilities and raised serious questions about his ability to lead the Pentagon. With internal power struggles, mounting pressure from Capitol Hill, and a growing sense of instability, Hegseth’s ability to focus on national security remains in doubt.

As he continues to rely on his personal lawyer and family for support, the question remains: can Hegseth regain his confidence and restore order to the Pentagon, or is his tenure destined to be defined by scandal and disarray?