SignalGate Report Goes to Congress as GOP's Confidence in Our Secretary of War Wanes

This week, Republican lawmakers are expressing increasing unease about the Department of Defenses actions toward Venezuela. A report from the Washington Post indicated that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth allegedly issued a verbal order to kill everybody on a vessel struck by the Trump administration in September. Whether he actually spoke those words remains uncertain, but the vessel was hit multiple times in what appears to be a violation of international law.

Hegseth reportedly deflected responsibility onto the admiral overseeing the operation. Nonetheless, the article triggered a notable wave of concern from congressional Republicans, who have previously been less vocal about lethal actions by the administration. Several GOP senators spoke out this week regarding the targeting of survivors from the struck Venezuelan vessel, who were reportedly clinging to wreckage when subsequent attacks occurred.

Senators on the Armed Services Committee are demanding clarity on who authorized the second strike. Killing survivors in water after a strike is potentially a serious issue, said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD). Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV) called the reports unacceptable, while Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) warned of possible violations of ethical, moral, and legal standards. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) described the incident simply as wrong.

Amid these concerns, the Pentagon Inspector Generals SignalGate report is now being sent to Congress. The scandal centers on Hegseths use of the Signal messaging app to discuss sensitive military operations targeting the Houthi rebellion in Yemen. Questions remain about whether the information he shared with Trump administration officials, including an accidentally added reporter, was properly declassified.

The IG concluded that Hegseth risked compromising sensitive military information, which could have endangered American troops and mission objectives. Messages reportedly included detailed, real-time updates on planned military strikes, with one noting the timing of bomb drops. The report also notes Hegseths refusal to participate in interviews and his limited cooperation, submitting only a few screenshots instead of providing full access to his phone.

It remains uncertain how receptive Senate Republicans will be to the IGs findings, especially during a week in which they have publicly questioned Pentagon leadership. The situation comes as Congress continues to navigate other high-profile investigations, including the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Author: Aiden Foster