Hegseth’s 'shelf life' as Defense Secretary is less than 4 months: former Trump aide
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth closes his eyes as he stands by U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured), in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 21, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Editor's Note: The "Official Rapid Response account of the Trump 47 White House" has since denied reports the White House is looking to replace Pete Hegseth. 'Lies from NPR — which, as we all know, is a Fake News propaganda machine," the account wrote Monday.
Original story below.
John Bolton, who served as the national security adviser to President Donald Trump during his first term, said Monday Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth should resign after reports emerged that he shared sensitive military details in a second Signal group chat.
"I think Hegseth should resign," Bolton said, but added that he is not going to. "He may leave at some point, because I think he's used up his bank account with Donald Trump. Trump doesn't want to have to waste his resources defending his people, and that's now what he's doing on Hegseth," Bolton said during an appearance on CNN.
"But I think Trump is bound and determined not to show weakness, which is what he's worried he would do if he fires Hegseth or anybody else. So, I think Hegseth has a shelf life of undetermined length, but it's not going to be much longer....Three months, four months, something like that," the former Trump aide said.
ALSO READ: 'Totally unacceptable': GOP congressman breaks ranks to publicly demand Trump fire Hegseth
Earlier on Monday, several media outlets reported that Hegseth provided specific details about upcoming strikes in Yemen on March 15 in a private Signal group chat that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer.
Some of these individuals who confirmed the development noted that the information Hegseth disclosed in the Signal chat included the flight schedules for the F/A-18 Hornets that were targeting the Houthis in Yemen, which were essentially the same attack plans he shared in another Signal chat that day, which mistakenly included the editor of The Atlantic.
Hegseth's wife, Jennifer, is a former producer at Fox News. She is not an employee of the Defense Department, but she has traveled abroad with Hegseth during his official visits.
Meanwhile, NPR reported Monday that the White House has initiated the process of looking for a new secretary of defense. An official, whose name was not disclosed, confirmed the development, per NPR.
ALSO READ: 'He must resign in disgrace': Hegseth on the ropes after second war plans chat exposed
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