Pentagon inspector warns that Hegseth's Signal use endangered troops

The Pentagons inspector general has determined that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths use of the Signal messaging application to discuss sensitive strike plans in Yemen posed potential risks to U.S. military personnel and operational security. Sources familiar with the investigation noted that while Hegseth had the authority to share the information, the method of communication raised significant concerns.

Two reports are expected to be released on Thursday. The first focuses specifically on Hegseths messages, concluding that he did not breach classification rules, as he is legally permitted to declassify information prior to transmission. However, the report warns that discussing active operations via Signal could inadvertently expose sensitive details, potentially endangering troops and ongoing missions.

The second report addresses a wider issue: the Pentagon still lacks a secure, government-sanctioned messaging platform capable of real-time coordination. As a result, senior officials remain reliant on commercial applications that fail to meet security standards.

The findings stem from a nine-month inquiry into whether Hegseths communication practices violated departmental standards and placed military personnel at risk. This investigation coincides with scrutiny over his involvement in a second strike targeting alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean, which resulted in fatalities among individuals injured in an initial strike.

The probe was initiated after Hegseth, alongside other Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, used Signal to discuss military operations in Yemen. A journalist was inadvertently added to one of these chats, raising further security concerns.

Congressional leaders from both parties, including Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker and ranking member Jack Reed, had urged the inspector general to review Hegseths use of the messaging platform. The Pentagon inspector general announced the investigation in early April. The Defense Department has not issued a response to the findings.

Author: Gavin Porter