The southern lawn of the White House was a hubbub of activity Monday morning as a crowd of revelers dressed in spring colors united for the annual roller of Easter eggs. A brown Easter rabbit praised the crowd, the first lady read a story for children – and the president and her defense secretary were unleashed in the media.
Times reported on Sunday that Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon chief, shared sensitive details on the military strikes to come in a second group group in the Signal application, which included members of his family and his personal lawyer.
President Trump and Mr. Hegseth had not responded to the report before the White House festivities on Monday morning. Thus, when the journalists who had gathered to cover the event found the two to ask questions about the situation, their answers were away from the joy of Easter.
Mr. Hegseth, wearing a pocket scheme of the American flag, appeared furious while he was sliding the journalists. His children mixed his feet behind him.
“These children here,” said Hegseth, signaling them while looking directly from a television camera, “that’s why we fight false media.”
He pointed to an accusing finger on the group of journalists gathered: “This group here – full of canulors. You peddlened anonymous sources of leaks with axes with grinding, then you put everything together as if it were a new one.”
He placed an arm around his wife – which was included in the chat reported in question – and launched the family.
Elsewhere on the lawn, the president could not avoid questions.
Flanked by the First Lady, Melania Trump, and a Easter rabbit in a pale green jacket, Mr. Trump sent the crowd from a balcony and spoke of Pope Francis, whose death was announced by the Vatican during the night.
Serenade by the live music of a naval group, the Trumps went down to the crowd, which included journalists. There, the questions about the signal cat began.
“Why would you even want to ask a question like this?” Trump told a journalist who asked if he still trusted Mr. Hegseth.
He joined his family, including his eldest son and several grandchildren, and the first couple chaired an egg roll.
“Are you ready?” Trump asked the children gathered before counting three and blowing on a golden whistle. But he was quickly distracted by journalists assembled behind them.
“Look at this, look behind you,” he told Ms. Trump. A young grandson standing next to them also pleated with curiosity the journalists. “The best people. They have good days and they have bad days – but we all do it, right? ”
Before turning to the festivities, he planned to make an offering to journalists.
“Do you want an egg?” He asked. “We will give you some eggs.”
