Watchdog finds Hegseth's Signal messages may have put troops at risk

A recent review by the Pentagons inspector general concluded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have compromised the safety of American troops and their operations by discussing a secret mission in Yemen through the commercial messaging app Signal. However, the report noted that he possessed the authority to declassify the shared information.

The inquiry began after Hegseth communicated details of a planned U.S. strike against Houthi targets in Yemen via a Signal group chat with other government officials. These messages, which contained precise timing for bomb deployments, were later reported by The Atlantic when its editor, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently added to the chat.

Hegseth has maintained that the shared content did not constitute official "war plans" and reiterated his right to declassify the information. The watchdog emphasized that if the messages had been accessed by hostile actors, both the mission and the personnel involved could have faced serious risks.

The report highlighted that Hegseths use of his personal phone violated Pentagon regulations, though it confirmed his declassification authority as Defense Secretary. Investigators primarily relied on screenshots of the published messages, as Hegseth provided only a limited number of his own communications and declined an in-person interview, offering a written statement instead.

Two partially redacted inspector general reports are scheduled for release on Thursday, December 4, examining both Hegseths actions and the Pentagons absence of a secure messaging platform for real-time government communications. Prior to publication, these reports were shared with Congress and described to major news outlets, including CNN, CBS, POLITICO, and the Associated Press.

The Signal chat included over a dozen U.S. officials, such as former White House national security adviser Michael Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Hegseths preemptive commentary on the strikes drew significant scrutiny, prompting calls from several Democratic lawmakers for his removal from office.

Hegseth has also faced renewed attention following a second U.S. strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, which resulted in fatalities. He denied issuing an order to "kill everybody" and stated that he only learned about the follow-up strike after it occurred.

The recent Pentagon inspector general's review raises significant concerns over the safety and operational security of American military personnel, particularly regarding the use of unsecured communication channels. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's decision to discuss a secret mission in Yemen via the commercial messaging app Signal, though within his declassification authority, exposed potential vulnerabilities that could have been exploited by adversaries.

The investigation began after sensitive details of a U.S. military operation targeting Houthi forces were inadvertently leaked through a group chat. Hegseth's use of personal devices to communicate about such operations, in violation of Pentagon protocols, highlights a larger issue: the lack of a secure and unified communication system within the U.S. government. This case underscores the growing risks of using personal technology for sensitive discussions, particularly when it concerns national security.

Although Hegseth maintained that the shared information did not qualify as "official war plans," the report clearly indicated that the unauthorized communication could have had serious repercussions. The fact that it was shared with a broad group of government officials only increases the level of risk involved. Moreover, the decision to use a commercial app designed for private communication rather than a secure government platform directly contravenes best practices for maintaining operational secrecy.

The ongoing scrutiny of Hegseth's actions, especially in light of additional military strikes in the Caribbean, suggests a need for greater accountability in the conduct of senior officials. It remains to be seen whether the release of the inspector general’s full report will prompt significant changes in how classified information is handled at the highest levels of government.

Sources:

• Hegseth's Signal chats could have endangered troops, watchdog finds

Author: Grace Ellison
Grace Ellison is a journalist focusing on environmental issues and sustainability. She has experience publishing international reports and participating in documentary projects.