Pentagon Chief Takes Wife to Meetings Containing State Secrets

Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth brought his wife, Jennifer, to meetings with foreign military partners where sensitive information was discussed, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was under intense scrutiny regarding details of military strikes, brought his wife, a former producer at Fox News, to two meetings with foreign military partners where sensitive information was discussed,” the publication reported.

One of the meetings, which Hegseth attended with his wife's company, took place on March 6 at the Pentagon. Attendees included UK Defense Secretary John Healey and Chief of the UK Defense Staff, Admiral Tony Radakin. One of the topics discussed was the cessation of shared intelligence information between the US and Ukraine, as well as future military cooperation among allies.

Another meeting that Jennifer Hegseth attended occurred in February in Brussels at the NATO headquarters. Representatives from member countries' defense departments discussed the assistance being provided to Ukraine.

The publication noted that the US Secretary of Defense can invite anyone to meetings with foreign partners. However, usually, those invited have access to classified information. Jennifer Hegseth is not a Pentagon employee. Spouses of high-ranking officials often have low-level security clearance, but it is unclear whether Hegseth's wife has one.