The posture from President Trump’s administration was meant to hold the line, at least for now, against Democratic demands for Hegseth’s firing when the Pentagon is engulfed in turmoil.

President Donald Trump on Monday defended his embattled defense secretary, saying he's pleased with his leadership thus far.

White House officials are defending Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid allegations related to the Signal messaging app. “The president absolutely has confidence in Secretary Hegseth,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday.