US defence secretary Pete Hegseth under fire for bringing wife to 'sensitive' military meetings: Report

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth, who is facing scrutiny over the recent Signal chat leak, had reportedly brought his wife, Jennifer, to two meetings with foreign military counterparts where "sensitive" information was discussed, the Wall Street Journal reported.

According to the report, Hegseth reportedly went to the high-level meeting with his wife on March 6. The meeting took place with UK secretary of defense John Healey, discussing America's withdrawal from sharing military intelligence with Ukraine during their Russian conflict, as reported by the Newsweek citing Wall Street Journal.

Defence officials informed the Wall Street Journal that secretary meeting attendees typically possess security clearances due to "the delicate nature of the discussions."

And the second meeting was at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in February, involving officials discussing Ukraine support.

This report came when Trump administration officials are facing intense examination regarding their usage of Signal, an encrypted application, allegedly for discussing military strategies whilst including a media representative.

Recent disclosures about Signal communications involving Vice President JD Vance, Hegseth, national security adviser Mike Waltz and The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg have created turmoil in Washington.

Goldberg shared the Signal message chat, discussing about the American military strategies regarding airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran and have been conducting attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea amidst shipping route disputes.

The conduct of confidential military discussions amongst senior Trump administration officials has raised substantial national security issues.

Hegseth has consistently disputed Goldberg's account, stating, "Nobody was texting war plans, and that's all I have to say about that." Similarly, Waltz criticised Goldberg on Tuesday, labelling him the "bottom scum of journalists."

The Wall Street Journal noted, citing sources, "Some foreign attendees at the meetings didn't know who Jennifer Hegseth was."

Following the Signal chat disclosure, Hegseth faces resignation demands. Trump administration colleagues continue supporting him. President Trump indicated this week his intention to investigate the situation, delegating Walz to pursue the matter.