Pentagon Watchdog Finds Defense Secretary Hegseth Endangered Troops by Sharing Classified Information on Signal
A Pentagon watchdog report found Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated military regulations by using the Signal app to share classified information, endangering US personnel and national security.
Overview
- The Pentagon watchdog reported Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated military regulations by using the unauthorized Signal app on his personal device to share sensitive military information.
- This use of Signal was found to have endangered US personnel, troops, and missions by jeopardizing national security and potentially compromising military operations if intercepted.
- A classified version of the inspector general's report, confirming the information shared was classified, was delivered to Congress after a delay caused by a government shutdown.
- Hegseth declined interviews with investigators, providing only written responses, which raised concerns among lawmakers and military families about the safety of U.S. forces.
- The report also noted a journalist was inadvertently added to a Signal chat, further highlighting the security risks posed by not using approved secure communication networks.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the Pentagon Inspector General's findings that Secretary Hegseth violated military regulations and potentially endangered troops. They prioritize the IG's conclusions that classified information was shared and Hegseth's denials were rejected. While including the administration's defense, sources often immediately counter or contextualize it to maintain a narrative of misconduct and risk.
"The Pentagon’s watchdog found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put U.S. personnel and their mission at risk when he used the Signal messaging app to convey sensitive information about a military strike against Yemen’s Houthi militants."
Chicago Tribune"The report found the former Fox News host-turned-defense-secretary violated Defense Department policies when he used his personal device for official business to transmit sensitive U.S. military information to other top Trump officials and the editor in chief of The Atlantic magazine."
CBS News"The report concludes that Hegseth, who sent the information about targets, timing and aircraft to two Signal groups, including his wife and brother, violated Pentagon policies about using personal phones for official business."
NPR"The new IG report states that Hegseth “should not have used Signal and that senior Defense Department officials need better training on protocols,” according to CNN, which cites officials who have read the report."
Gizmodo"The report outlines the findings of a more than eight-month investigation into Hegseth’s use of Signal, an encrypted but unclassified messaging app, to share details of the planned U.S. strikes in March before they had begun."
NBC News"The findings ramp up the pressure on the former Fox News Channel host after lawmakers had called for the independent inquiry into his use of the commercially available app."
Military Times"A Pentagon watchdog concluded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth risked exposing classified information that could have endangered U.S. troops when he relayed details about a planned military strike in Yemen using the Signal commercial messaging app."
ABC News"The findings ramp up the pressure on the former Fox News Channel host after lawmakers had called for the independent inquiry into his use of the commercially available app."
Associated PressArticles (20)
Center (8)
FAQ
Hegseth shared detailed information about the timing and target locations of U.S. military strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen, including specifics about F-18, MQ-9 Reaper drone, and Tomahawk missile strikes. Former officials stated that such details would typically be considered classified and should not have been shared on an unsecured platform.
Signal is not part of the Pentagon’s secure communications network and is not authorized for transmitting or storing classified or non-public Department of Defense information. Using unmanaged apps like Signal for official business violates federal records laws and security protocols, even if the information is not classified.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz mistakenly added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal group chat discussing sensitive military operations. This incident highlighted the risks of using unsecured communication platforms and raised concerns about the potential compromise of classified information and national security.
As of now, Hegseth has not faced direct disciplinary action. He has denied sharing classified information and stated he serves at the pleasure of the president. The Pentagon’s inspector general has recommended better training for officials, but no formal penalties have been announced.
Multiple administrations, including under President Joe Biden, have used Signal for official communications. Some official devices were even pre-installed with Signal, raising questions about consistent enforcement of communication policies across different administrations.
History
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9 articles