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Pentagon Watchdog: How Hegseth's Signal App Use Risked Classified Secrets

A Pentagon watchdog concluded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth risked exposing classified information. He reportedly shared details of a planned U.S. strike in Yemen over the Signal messaging app. The information came from a document marked as secret and not for foreign nationals. While the Pentagon calls it an exoneration, the report highlights a need for better security training.

Key Points: Pentagon Watchdog Says Hegseth Risked Exposing Classified Info

  • Inspector General found Hegseth shared details from a Secret/NOFORN document on Signal
  • Sharing on a commercial platform could have endangered US forces preparing for strikes
  • Hegseth shared flight schedules and operational details in private chats with family and a journalist
  • The report states senior Defense officials need better training on security protocols
2 min read

Pentagon watchdog says Hegseth risked exposing classified info over mobile app: Reports

A Pentagon watchdog found Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth risked exposing classified Yemen strike details via the Signal app, prompting calls for better protocol training.

"The Inspector General review is a TOTAL exoneration of Secretary Hegseth and proves what we knew all along -- no classified information was shared. - Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell"

Washington, Dec 4

A Pentagon watchdog has determined that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth risked exposing classified information when he passed details of a planned US strike in Yemen over the messaging app Signal, multiple media outlets reported.

The Pentagon inspector general found that the information Hegseth relayed originated from a US Central Command planning document that was marked Secret/NOFORN at the time, meaning it was barred from release to any foreign national, said the reports, quoting sources familiar with the affair.

According to the sources, the watchdog concluded that sharing those operational details on a commercial platform could have endangered US forces preparing for the strike, reports Xinhua news agency.

An inspector general report stated that Hegseth should not have used Signal and that senior Defense Department officials need better training on protocols, the sources were quoted as saying.

"The Inspector General review is a TOTAL exoneration of Secretary Hegseth and proves what we knew all along -- no classified information was shared. This matter is resolved, and the case is closed," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told the media in response.

Hegseth maintains his original classification authority, which allows him to unilaterally declassify information, said a CNN report.

Hegseth reportedly shared detailed information about forthcoming strikes on March 15, including the flight schedules for the F/A-18 Hornets targeting the Houthis in Yemen, in a private Signal group chat that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer.

On the same day, Hegseth also sent a message in another Signal chat -- one that included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg -- sharing operational details about impending strikes on Yemen, scheduled to occur within two hours, Goldberg revealed in an article on March 24.

Hegseth's wife, Jennifer Rauchet, a former Fox News producer, is not a Defense Department employee, while Hegseth's brother Phil and his personal lawyer, Tim Parlatore, both have jobs in the Pentagon, according to a New York Times report.

Hegseth's use of the Signal messaging app to discuss sensitive military information drew criticism and prompted a probe by the Pentagon watchdog.

An unclassified version of the inspector general report is set to be publicly released Thursday, CNN reported, adding that a classified version was sent to the US Congress on Tuesday night.

int/sd/

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The "total exoneration" statement from the Pentagon spokesman feels like spin. The report clearly says he risked exposing info and that officials need better training. You can't have it both ways.
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Priya S
Sharing strike details with a journalist and family on a private app? This is shocking carelessness. It puts soldiers at risk. In India, we take OPSEC very seriously. Hope they learn from this.
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Vikram M
The "unilateral declassification" authority seems like a loophole being used after the fact. The intent matters. Why share real-time operational details on a commercial app? Signal is secure, but the audience wasn't. Basic common sense is missing.
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Rohit P
This shows a casual attitude at the highest level. Imagine if our Raksha Mantri did this before a surgical strike. There would be consequences. Accountability should be the same everywhere.
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Michael C
Including his wife in the chat is the most baffling part. She's a former news producer, not cleared for this. It completely undermines the "no classified info was shared" defense. The training recommendation is spot on.

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