Pentagon watchdog: Hegseth's Signal chat may have jeopardized troop safety

The Pentagon's inspector general has raised concerns that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth might have compromised the safety of military personnel by using an unsecured messaging app to discuss an upcoming operation against militants in Yemen. The discussion occurred on the commercial Signal app and was unintentionally revealed when a journalist was mistakenly added to the group chat.

Hegseth shared details from a classified report using his personal device. The inspector generals office did not confirm whether the information had been formally declassified before it was transmitted. A classified version of the report has been provided to Congress, with a public version expected later this week. Some findings were already shared with U.S. media, including CBS News and the BBC.

The report concludes that Hegseth violated Pentagon policy by using both an unsecured messaging platform and a personal device to transmit sensitive information regarding an airstrike on Houthi fighters prior to its execution. Sources told CBS News that interception by foreign adversaries could have endangered U.S. service members and jeopardized the mission.

The Signal chat, first reported by The Atlantic, revealed discussions about specific targets, attack timings, and weapon types. The shared information originated from a classified email labeled "SECRET//NOFORN," meaning it was restricted from foreign nationals and could threaten national security if disclosed. The Trump administration has maintained that the content shared was not classified, and the inspector general did not determine if Hegseth had declassified it before sharing.

The investigation was initiated by the Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee. Most U.S. government departments have independent inspector generals who conduct audits and inquiries. Hegseth declined an interview with the inspector general, providing a written statement instead.

The Pentagon defended Hegseth, stating the report "totally exonerates" him and confirms that no classified information was shared. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also said operational security remained intact.

However, Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, called for Hegseths resignation. Warner stated that the investigation "clearly shows Secretary Hegseth endangered American pilots" and highlighted a pattern of using unsecured chats, suggesting broader recklessness and poor judgment.

Hegseth oversees a military force of over one million service members and has recently faced scrutiny over a U.S. strike on a boat carrying suspected drug traffickers. He denies instructing troops to "kill all" suspects and claims he was unaware of additional casualties from a subsequent airstrike on the same target.

Author: Chloe Ramirez