Report Finds Pete Hegseth's Use of Signal Endangered Personnel

The Pentagons acting inspector general has determined that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth exposed U.S. military personnel to potential danger by using the commercial messaging platform Signal to discuss operational war plans. The report, released Thursday, scrutinized Hegseths choice to bypass secure government communication channels when sharing sensitive details about a military operation targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, an episode now referred to as "Signalgate."

The issue came to light after The Atlantics Jeffrey Goldberg reported on March 24 that he had been added to the Signal chat alongside 18 senior officials, including Hegseth and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. The group exchanged specifics such as timings, aircraft types, and intended targets.

The internal review concluded that conducting official business and transmitting nonpublic Department of Defense information through a personal cell phone via Signal carries a risk of compromising sensitive information, which could endanger DoD personnel and mission objectives.

The report emerges as Hegseth faces additional controversy regarding orders linked to the killing of survivors from a military strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat on September 2, an operation critics have labeled a potential war crime.

This story is ongoing and updates will follow as more information becomes available.

Author: Grace Ellison