"This is madness": The real boss of the Pentagon is the defense secretary's wife

A comprehensive investigation reveals the deep involvement of Jennifer Hegseth, wife of the US Secretary of Defense, in managing the Defense Department. She is present at sensitive security meetings, participates in a classified Signal group where attack plans were shared, and functions as her husband's most influential advisor, blurring the lines between family and national security.

A comprehensive New York Times investigation reveals the deep and unusual involvement of Jennifer Hegseth, wife of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in managing the Defense Department. According to the report, Hegseth has become her husband's most influential advisor and effectively the 'executive producer' of the Pentagon. She was present at a highly sensitive meeting with senior British security officials regarding intelligence sharing in Ukraine, a presence that caused deep discomfort and led to the discussion being halted and a smaller meeting held without her. Last year, it was revealed that the Secretary of Defense added her to a classified Signal group where attack plans for US fighter jets against Houthi targets in Yemen were shared. In June, she accompanied him to the D-Day anniversary ceremonies in Normandy, where they featured in a Defense Department promotional video. Hegseth was appointed this month as chair of the Presidential Commission on Military Spouses. The article presents criticism of the blurring of lines between family and national security.