The investigation arises from concerns over sensitive information shared via a messaging app, prompting calls for resignations from key officials.
Pentagon Investigates Hegseth's Use of Signal App Amid Military Secrets Scandal
Pentagon Investigates Hegseth's Use of Signal App Amid Military Secrets Scandal
The Defense Department examines communication breaches linked to Yemen military strikes.
The inspector general of the U.S. Department of Defense has initiated an inquiry into Pete Hegseth's utilization of the Signal application to communicate with high-ranking officials regarding military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This investigation follows a significant outcry after a journalist unknowingly entered a group chat where intricate details about the attacks were exchanged, leading to a scrutiny of the administration's practices surrounding sensitive communications.
The probe, requested by the Senate Armed Services Committee, aims to ascertain whether the defense secretary and his team adhered to departmental guidelines on the use of messaging apps for official matters. In a letter sent to Hegseth, acting inspector general Steven Stebbins indicated that the investigation would evaluate compliance with classification protocols and records retention requirements as well.
The controversy escalated when Atlantic magazine's editor-in-chief Jeff Goldberg was mistakenly included in a Signal chat in early March, where Hegseth discussed specific timelines for military strikes along with details about weaponry and other sensitive information. In the aftermath, Democratic lawmakers have called for resignations from individuals involved, including Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who was responsible for creating the chat. The Trump administration has contended that the information shared was not classified in nature.
Hegseth has been requested to provide two contacts knowledgeable about the situation within five days, including one government official and a high-ranking officer. The probe will take place in Washington D.C. and at U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida. Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged awareness of the ongoing investigation but indicated that no cases have been referred to her office as of yet.
On March 26, Senate Armed Services Committee leaders—Republican Roger Wicker and Democrat Jack Reed—sought the Pentagon’s assistance in reviewing what messages were sent via the Signal chat, the department's policies on sharing sensitive information through non-government platforms, and potential recommendations for safeguarding such communications. They emphasized that the Signal incident "raises profound concerns about the use of unclassified networks to discuss sensitive and classified information."
The probe, requested by the Senate Armed Services Committee, aims to ascertain whether the defense secretary and his team adhered to departmental guidelines on the use of messaging apps for official matters. In a letter sent to Hegseth, acting inspector general Steven Stebbins indicated that the investigation would evaluate compliance with classification protocols and records retention requirements as well.
The controversy escalated when Atlantic magazine's editor-in-chief Jeff Goldberg was mistakenly included in a Signal chat in early March, where Hegseth discussed specific timelines for military strikes along with details about weaponry and other sensitive information. In the aftermath, Democratic lawmakers have called for resignations from individuals involved, including Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who was responsible for creating the chat. The Trump administration has contended that the information shared was not classified in nature.
Hegseth has been requested to provide two contacts knowledgeable about the situation within five days, including one government official and a high-ranking officer. The probe will take place in Washington D.C. and at U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida. Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged awareness of the ongoing investigation but indicated that no cases have been referred to her office as of yet.
On March 26, Senate Armed Services Committee leaders—Republican Roger Wicker and Democrat Jack Reed—sought the Pentagon’s assistance in reviewing what messages were sent via the Signal chat, the department's policies on sharing sensitive information through non-government platforms, and potential recommendations for safeguarding such communications. They emphasized that the Signal incident "raises profound concerns about the use of unclassified networks to discuss sensitive and classified information."
