Has Pete Hegseth truly been cleared by the Pentagon of Signal leaks?

The United States Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, allegedly jeopardized military personnel and operations when he used the Signal messaging app to discuss confidential information regarding military airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi rebels, according to a classified Pentagon report. The Pentagon's inspector general found that Hegseth violated established protocols by utilizing his personal phone for official communications and recommended enhanced training for Pentagon officials to avoid similar lapses.

The Pentagon's report to Congress, released on Tuesday, highlights that U.S. officials are not authorized to use Signal for secure communications, as it is not integrated into the Pentagon's classified network. Despite this, Hegseth, who has the authority to declassify information, asserted that the consequences of his actions remain unclear. This revelation may increase pressure on Hegseth, especially after bipartisan scrutiny from lawmakers following the leak of his Signal messages earlier this year.

In March, journalist Jeffrey Goldberg accidentally gained access to the Signal chat group, which included top U.S. officials, revealing sensitive details about the timing of the airstrikes. While some lawmakers called for Hegseth's dismissal, President Trump downplayed the incident, even suggesting that the scandal was exaggerated. Hegseth, however, claimed that the findings of the investigation were a "total exoneration," although they do not definitively clear him of wrongdoing.

The investigation also touches on a separate incident involving Hegseth's alleged verbal order for a second airstrike on a vessel in the Caribbean, which reportedly led to the deaths of two survivors from a prior strike. A redacted version of the full report is expected to be released soon, offering more insight into the situation.

What Has the Pentagon Inspector General Found?

According to the classified report by Pentagon Inspector General Steve Stebbins, Hegseth shared sensitive military information about a strike in Yemen via Signal, risking the safety of U.S. personnel. The report also reveals that Hegseth communicated with unauthorized individuals, including his family and personal attorney, via the app. Hegseths actions violated U.S. law regarding communication security and retention of records.

Despite this, the report acknowledged Hegseth's authority to declassify information, making the consequences of his actions unclear. Hegseth has maintained that he declassified the information before sharing it and that he did nothing wrong, although no documentation has been provided to support this claim. The investigation was launched after concerns from both Democrat and Republican lawmakers about the potential risks of the leaked information.

Did Hegseth Declassify the Information Before Sharing it on Signal?

The inspector generals report sheds light on how Hegseth's office set up Signal for use from the Pentagon, a place where personal devices are restricted. Though the report confirms Hegseth's authority to declassify military intelligence, it does not conclusively state whether the information shared via Signal had been officially declassified. The shared details reportedly came from a classified U.S. Central Command document marked as Secret/NOFORN, meaning it was not for foreign nationals' eyes.

Hegseth's Response to the Report

On Tuesday, Hegseth took to social media to claim that the report proved no classified information was shared and declared the investigation a "total exoneration." His spokesperson also echoed this sentiment, stating that the report confirmed Hegseth did nothing wrong. However, critics argue that this assertion overlooks the potential risks involved in mishandling classified communications.

What Happened in the Signal Chat?

The controversy, dubbed "Signalgate," began in March when journalist Jeffrey Goldberg revealed he had been inadvertently added to a Signal group that contained top U.S. officials discussing an airstrike on Yemen. The group, which included Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, shared specific details about the planned strike, including the exact timing of the bombings.

The leaked messages, which discussed the deployment of U.S. F-18 jets and drones, caused an uproar after it was revealed that foreign intelligence services could have intercepted them. Critics also noted that the auto-delete function of Signal violated government transparency regulations, which require documentation to be maintained. Hegseth denied the allegations that he shared "war plans" and emphasized that he only passed on unclassified information he deemed safe for sharing.

Other Allegations Against Hegseth

In addition to the Signal leaks, Hegseth is facing scrutiny over his alleged role in a second strike against a boat in the Caribbean, which led to the deaths of two survivors of an earlier attack. The incident is under investigation by both Democrat and Republican lawmakers, with some calling it a possible war crime. Hegseth has denied the allegations, claiming that he did not directly order the second strike and that the situation was clouded by the "fog of war."

The incident is part of a broader controversy regarding U.S. anti-narcotics operations, which have drawn criticism from human rights organizations for their potential violations of international law. At least 80 people have been killed in these operations, targeting suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

While Republicans have largely supported Hegseth, with some defending his actions as part of the war effort, Democrats continue to press for accountability, citing potential human rights violations and the need for greater transparency in military operations.