A recent investigation by a Pentagon watchdog has raised serious concerns regarding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his use of the Signal commercial messaging app. According to sources familiar with the classified investigative report, Hegseth's actions risked exposing sensitive information that could have endangered U.S. troops during a planned military strike in Yemen.
The Defense Department's inspector general concluded that Hegseth had relayed information that had been properly classified by U.S. Central Command before sharing it with colleagues and his wife. While Hegseth claimed he acted within his rights to classify and declassify information, the inspector general's report highlighted that the nature of the information was too sensitive to be shared via a commercial app like Signal.
Sources indicate that Hegseth refused to participate in an interview during the investigation but provided a statement insisting that the information he shared was not sensitive and would not put troops at risk. This assertion was ultimately rejected by the inspector general, who emphasized the potential danger of the information falling into enemy hands.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell responded to the findings, claiming that the review was a "TOTAL exoneration" of Hegseth, insisting that no classified information was shared. He stated, "This matter is resolved, and the case is closed." In a statement to ABC News, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed these sentiments, asserting that the report confirmed the Administration's stance that no classified information was leaked, and operational security was maintained. Leavitt also noted that President Trump stands by Secretary Hegseth.
The investigation gained public attention after The Atlantic revealed the existence of a Signal group chat that included members of President Donald Trump's national security team, such as Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and former national security adviser Mike Waltz. The chat became contentious when Waltz accidentally added Jeffrey Goldberg, the executive editor of The Atlantic, who subsequently reported on the discussions involving a military plan targeting sites in Yemen controlled by Houthi militants.
Within the chat, Hegseth disclosed information on how the military strike would be executed, including the deployment of F-18 fighter jets and Tomahawk cruise missiles. He even wrote, "THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP," indicating the precise military time of 1415 (2:15 p.m.) for the strike. Reports suggest that Hegseth shared similar sensitive details in a separate chat that included his wife, who does not hold a position at the Pentagon.
On March 15, the military strike proceeded as detailed in the Signal chat, with U.S. jets successfully targeting numerous Houthi installations, including missiles and air defense systems. Following the operation, both Hegseth and Parnell reiterated that the information shared was not classified. They received support from notable figures like CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Tulsi Gabbard, who testified that the chat did not contain classified information.
In light of these events, Senators Roger Wicker and Jack Reed called for the inspector general's investigation into the handling of sensitive information. Wicker noted that the information discussed was of such a sensitive nature that it warranted classification, underscoring the potential risks associated with Hegseth's actions.
The unclassified findings from the inspector general's investigation are expected to be released soon, potentially shedding further light on this controversial issue.