White House DOUBLES DOWN on Hegseth — SLAMS Fire…

Leavitt addressed these concerns during Tuesday’s briefing, accusing the media of amplifying “hoaxsters” and attributing the leaks to recently dismissed Pentagon officials. “They were Pentagon employees who leaked against their boss,” she said, responding to a reporter’s question about the officials’ ties to Hegseth’s inner circle. The fired employees, three top Pentagon aides, have denied the accusations, claiming their terminations for “unauthorized disclosure” were baseless and that their character is being unfairly maligned.

Trump’s Unwavering Support
President Donald Trump has also voiced strong backing for Hegseth, brushing off the controversy during a Monday press interaction. “Pete’s doing a great job,” Trump said. “Everybody’s happy with him.” He echoed Leavitt’s narrative, suggesting the reports originated from “disgruntled employees” and urging critics to “try something new.” The president’s confidence in Hegseth remains unshaken, despite mounting pressure from lawmakers and national security experts calling for greater transparency.

Hegseth himself has been vocal in his defense, lashing out at the media during an exchange at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday. “What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out,” he told reporters, dismissing the Signal chat reports as fabrications. He further claimed to be “on the same page” with Trump, signaling a unified front within the administration. However, his confrontational demeanor drew criticism, with some observers noting that his outburst in front of families and children was inappropriate.