1. United States
2. Ala.
3. Letter

I am a constituent in Auburn, Alabama, writing to express my profound concern regarding the recent operational security (OPSEC) breach involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This incident has not only compromised sensitive military operations but also undermined the trust and safety of our armed forces. I urge you to consider the gravity of this situation and advocate for Secretary Hegseth's resignation.​ On March 11, 2025, journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to a Signal group chat that included senior U.S. government officials, among them Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Unaware of Goldberg's presence, Secretary Hegseth disclosed highly classified information concerning imminent military operations against Houthi militants in Yemen. This included specific details about targets, weapons, and attack sequencing—information that, in the wrong hands, could jeopardize the safety of our service members and the success of the mission. ​ The breach has been widely reported and has raised significant concerns about the administration's internal communication protocols. Experts have criticized the use of unsecured messaging platforms for discussing classified information, highlighting a blatant violation of basic operational security practices. ​ Such a lapse in judgment from the highest levels of our defense leadership is unacceptable. It not only endangers the lives of our military personnel but also compromises national security. Allowing Secretary Hegseth to remain in his position after such a critical error sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the integrity of our defense institutions.​ I implore you to take immediate action by calling for Secretary Hegseth's resignation. This decisive step is necessary to restore confidence in our national security apparatus and to demonstrate that such breaches of trust and protocol will not be tolerated.​ Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.