Rep. Cisneros Statement on Secretary Hegseth’s Second Signal Chat

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. released the following statement after new reporting detailed another unsecure and unauthorized Signal chat created by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that included his wife, his brother, and his personal lawyer. In addition, an op-ed by the former chief Pentagon spokesman has brought to light the “total chaos” and “endless drama” at the Department of Defense (DoD).  

“Secretary Hegseth’s resignation is overdue. Without even taking into account the nepotism Secretary Hegseth displayed in hiring his own brother and personal lawyer, there is no valid national security reason to share attack plans with them, nor with his wife, who isn’t even a DoD employee. Once again, these communications are illegal and endangered the lives of our servicemembers. Secretary Hegseth has made it clear how incredibly ill-equipped he is to be leading the DoD: the multiple instances over Signal of Operational Security incompetence; trying to brief Elon Musk on national security matters; the openly racist attacks on Jackie Robinson and DEI; the blind loyalty tests and partisan firings of DoD staffers; and now even a former sycophant has called Secretary Hegseth’s tenure chaotic and a major distraction. The fact that Secretary Hegseth refuses to take accountability and is forcing this conversation shows that he is a coward and cannot be trusted to have the backs of our servicemembers.” 

Previously, Rep. Cisneros led the New Dem National Security Working Group in issuing a statement condemning Secretary Hegseth and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz for their first Signal chat that discussed attack plans and called on Secretary Hegseth to resign. He has also been a vocal critic of Secretary Hegseth’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion, including the removal of Jackie Robinson from the DoD’s website and the removal of 400 books from the Naval Academy. 

Rep. Cisneros is a Navy veteran and the former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee and its Intelligence and Special Operations and Military Personnel Subcommittees. He also serves as the Chair of the New Dem National Security Working Group.