Pentagon inspector general rules against US defense secretary

The Pentagon's watchdog has determined that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth compromised troop safety by sharing sensitive military information via a messaging app. Hegseth reportedly disclosed operational plans for strikes targeting Houthi forces in Yemen within a Signal group that included a journalist from The Atlantic.

Recently, the White House has publicly supported Hegseth amid scrutiny, which intensified after a US military strike resulted in the deaths of two individuals who were reportedly clinging to the wreckage of a Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessel following an initial attack. Lawmakers from both parties have suggested that conducting such a follow-up strike could constitute an illegal action.

Hegseth defended himself by stating he was unaware of any survivors at the time and that the subsequent strike had been directed by a Navy admiral.

Author: Lucas Grant