Pentagon's investigator says Hegseth's use of Signal app endangered US personnel, according to AP sources

WASHINGTON The Pentagons inspector general has determined that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths use of the Signal messaging app endangered U.S. personnel and military operations during a strike targeting Houthi forces in Yemen, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

While Hegseth possesses the authority to declassify information, the report did not conclude that he misused this power, one source said, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the findings. CNN initially reported the preliminary results.

The inspector generals review was provided to members of Congress, who examined the report in a secure setting at the Capitol. Officials expect a partially redacted version of the report to be made public later this week.

The revelations have intensified scrutiny of Hegseth, a former Fox News host, following calls from lawmakers for an independent probe into his use of a commercial messaging application. Separate congressional inquiries have also been launched regarding a September strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean, where survivors were reportedly killed after Hegseth allegedly gave a verbal directive to kill everybody.

In multiple Signal conversations, Hegseth reportedly shared precise details about the timing of airstrikes, including launch schedules and bomb drops, ahead of U.S. forces being airborne.

The disclosure came when journalist Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic was unintentionally added to a Signal chat by then-national security adviser Mike Waltz. The discussion included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and others, focusing on March 15 operations against the Iran-backed Houthis.

Hegseth also created another Signal group with 13 participants, including his wife and brother, where similar strike details were shared, according to reports.

Author: Connor Blake