Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth defended himself over the investigation into alleged leakers at the Pentagon in which senior staff were placed on leave, saying there is "sufficient evidence" to believe they or others close to them were leaking.

Pete Hegseth was barely able to get confirmed as Donald Trump’s Defense secretary, and following a series of scandals — including the revelation that he shared U.S. war plans in a second Signal group chat last month — it appears increasingly likely that he’ll be the first member of Trump’s cabinet to either resign or be forced out not even 100 days into Trump’s second term.

The defense secretary’s inner circle is in disarray, and distrust is growing among civil servants and senior military officials.

An ex-Fox News host, Hegseth on Monday accused his former trusted advisers of turning against him following revelations that he texted sensitive U.S. military strike plans from his personal phone to his wife,

Trump is currently supporting his defense secretary, but some in the administration are speculating about how long Pete Hegseth will last.

President Donald Trump has privately told Pete Hegseth that he’s sticking by him, reinforcing his public support for the embattled Defense secretary who has faced calls for his ouster amid growing turmoil at the Pentagon.

President Donald Trump said Pete Hegseth is “doing a great job” despite what appear to be attacks from “disgruntled employees,” as the defense secretary is buffeted by staff dismissals, a leak investigation and a report that he shared sensitive military attack plans in a second unsecured chat group.