Was the Signalgate Report Even Read by Pete Hegseth?

Pete Hegseths reaction to the recent watchdog report, which concluded that the defense secretary had put U.S. troops at risk, appears to be simply denying the findings. On Wednesday, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell did not attempt to reinterpret the inspector generals investigation into a significant scandal from earlier this year, when Hegseth shared highly sensitive material through an unsecured Signal chat.

This Inspector General review is a complete vindication of Secretary Hegseth @PeteHegseth and confirms what we always believedno classified material was disclosed. The issue is closed, Parnell stated, according to Trump supporter Laura Loomer.

Previous reports to CNN indicated that Hegseth circulated messages containing classified content. One message, reading, This is DEFINITELY when the first bombs will drop, was clearly of a sensitive nature. Hegseth has insisted he had the authority to declassify the information himself, though there is no record confirming that such a process occurred.

A classified copy of the inspector generals Signalgate report was delivered to Congress Tuesday night, concluding that Hegseth should not have used the app. Four sources familiar with the document told CNN that his actions put sensitive military information at risk, potentially endangering both troops and operational objectives. A declassified version of the report is anticipated to be released publicly on Thursday.

Author: Aiden Foster