BREAKING: We just caught another RAT! Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Deputy Chief of Staff Darin Selnick ESCORTED FROM THE PENTAGON, marking the second staff removed from duty. Selnick was stripped of duty as part of an internal leak investigation related to signal gate.
In a dramatic and developing story that has stunned the Pentagon and raised serious concerns about internal security, Darin Selnick, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, was escorted from the Pentagon late Monday evening amid a growing investigation into what insiders are now calling “SignalGate.” This marks the second senior staff member removed from their post in less than a month as part of an expanding internal probe into unauthorized leaks of sensitive communications from within the Department of Defense.
Witnesses reported a tense atmosphere as uniformed security officers and Pentagon officials quietly moved Selnick out of the building without fanfare, though news of his removal leaked within hours. Sources with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed that Selnick’s security credentials were revoked on the spot, and that he has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. While no formal charges have been filed as of yet, the move suggests the investigation is gaining momentum — and possibly reaching higher levels of leadership than initially expected.
SignalGate, as the incident has now been dubbed internally, involves the unauthorized release of internal communications sent through encrypted messaging apps, particularly Signal. The leak, which first came to light earlier this year, included classified or sensitive exchanges between top-level defense officials discussing military policy shifts, intelligence assessments, and strategic planning related to foreign operations. The breach has prompted alarm over national security vulnerabilities and intensified scrutiny of digital communication habits within the upper echelons of the Defense Department.
According to preliminary findings, the leak appeared to involve screenshots and metadata from private Signal conversations that were never meant to leave secure channels. These leaks found their way to select journalists and independent platforms that began publishing fragments of the communications in March. Some of the leaked material was embarrassing rather than explosive, including personal opinions about foreign allies and political leadership, but other messages raised red flags for potential compromise of national security interests.
Selnick’s alleged role in the leak remains unclear, but sources suggest that forensic investigators traced several communications and device logs back to his office. What makes the situation more intense is Selnick’s proximity to Secretary Hegseth, a high-profile and polarizing figure known for his tough rhetoric and reform-driven agenda within the Pentagon. Selnick was considered a trusted advisor and had previously served in various veterans affairs and policy roles before his current post. His removal signals that the investigation may be zeroing in on Hegseth’s inner circle.
The Pentagon has yet to release an official statement detailing the allegations, though a spokesperson confirmed that “an internal personnel matter involving unauthorized communications activity is currently under review” and that appropriate actions are being taken “to protect the integrity of the Department.” Meanwhile, Secretary Hegseth, who was reportedly not present at the Pentagon during the removal, has remained silent on the matter, though insiders claim he is “furious” about the incident and determined to “root out any trace of disloyalty.”
Political reaction to the breaking news has been swift. Some members of Congress have already called for a full accounting of the investigation and demanded briefings on how deep the leak may go. “This isn’t just about one staffer. If secure communications are being compromised at this level, the American people deserve answers,” said one senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Others have raised questions about internal controls and oversight, asking how a leak of this magnitude could occur in an environment that is supposed to be among the most secure in the world. “We spend billions on defense cybersecurity, but sometimes it’s not the technology — it’s the people,” noted one cybersecurity expert familiar with government protocols.
This latest development follows the recent removal of another senior aide just weeks ago under similar suspicions. While it remains to be seen whether these incidents are isolated or part of a broader internal sabotage effort, the term “SignalGate” is beginning to take hold both in the media and within military circles, suggesting that the implications of this breach may continue to ripple through the Defense Department and beyond.
For now, Darin Selnick is out, and the investigation presses forward. As the Pentagon scrambles to contain the fallout and trace the full scope of the breach, questions are already surfacing about who knew what — and who might be next.
