Pentagon Report Reveals Risks from Hegseth’s Use of Signal App

The Pentagon’s inspector general has concluded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth jeopardized U.S. personnel and their operations by using the Signal messaging app to share sensitive information about a military strike against Yemen’s Houthi militants. According to two individuals familiar with the findings, the report indicates that while Hegseth has the authority to declassify information, he violated Pentagon policy by conducting official business on a personal device.

The report revealed that Hegseth used Signal to disclose critical details about military operations, including specific timings for warplane launches. This information was shared prior to the execution of the strikes, raising serious concerns about operational security. Hegseth declined to be interviewed by the inspector general but submitted a written statement in which he defended his actions, claiming he only communicated details he believed were unclassified.

Implications of the Findings

The findings come at a time when scrutiny of Hegseth’s actions has intensified, particularly after lawmakers requested an independent investigation into his use of the app. This inquiry gained traction following allegations that a subsequent military strike in the Caribbean resulted in the deaths of survivors after Hegseth allegedly ordered to “kill everybody.” He has characterized the incident as occurring within the “fog of war,” asserting that he did not see any survivors and believed the commanding admiral acted appropriately.

The inspector general’s review, which was based on screenshots from the Signal chats published by journalist Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic, stated that Hegseth created separate chats where he shared sensitive operational details with several individuals, including his wife and brother. While Signal is encrypted, it is not authorized for transmitting classified information and is outside the Pentagon’s secure communications framework.

Military experts have expressed concerns that sharing such precise details, especially prior to a strike, could have endangered the lives of military personnel involved in the operation.

Legislative and Operational Responses

The investigation into Hegseth’s communications was prompted by bipartisan requests from lawmakers. Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, initiated the inquiry following the emergence of concerns regarding operational security.

As details of the report were shared with lawmakers, a classified version was made available for review, with a partially redacted public version expected to be released soon. Lawmakers have voiced their concern that if a junior military officer had made similar disclosures, they would likely face severe disciplinary action.

Hegseth has characterized the investigation as partisan, expressing distrust in the inspector general’s findings. He maintained that the information shared in the Signal chats was informal and unclassified, aimed at media coordination. During a congressional hearing, he faced repeated questioning about the potential sharing of classified information, with Representative Seth Moulton challenging him on accountability should the investigation conclude that he violated protocols.

The report adds to the broader context of U.S. military actions against the Houthi rebels, who have escalated attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea since late 2023. As the conflict evolved, it became the most significant naval engagement for the U.S. Navy since World War II. The situation remains fluid, with complex geopolitical implications stemming from ongoing military operations in the region.