Pentagon Investigates Hegseth's Use of Signal for Military Communications

The Pentagon's inspector general is probing the use of the Signal app by Pete Hegseth to communicate sensitive military strike details. This inquiry has emerged following a data breach incident where a journalist was inadvertently added to a critical chat group. Lawmakers are questioning the adequacy of policies regarding unclassified communications for official military discussions.

The inspector general of the U.S. Department of Defense has initiated an inquiry into Pete Hegseth's usage of the Signal messaging application to communicate with high-ranking officials regarding military actions targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen. This investigation was prompted by recent controversies surrounding a journalist’s unexpected inclusion in a group chat that included intricate details about specific military strikes.

The scrutiny derived from a backlash against the White House after Atlantic magazine editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was added to the Signal group chat, where discussions revolved around logistics of planned military operations, weaponry involved, and specific timelines for strikes. As a result of the incident, calls for the resignation of Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who established the chat, have cascaded from Democratic leaders, citing a breach of protocols regarding sensitive military information.

The acting inspector general, Steven Stebbins, articulated in a correspondence to Hegseth that the aims of the investigation encompass an examination of compliance with department standards concerning the utilization of messaging platforms for official purposes. Further, the review will assess adherence to classification protocols and records retention obligations.

In light of the situation, Senators Roger Wicker and Jack Reed of the Senate Armed Services Committee have formally sought the Pentagon's inspector general to evaluate the nature of communications exchanged within the Signal chat, assess existing Defense Department policies towards disseminating sensitive information over non-government networks, and propose potential governance remedies. They expressed concern that the situation raises substantial doubts regarding the propriety of discussing sensitive and classified information through unsecured channels.

This inquiry into military communications, juxtaposed with potential policy breaches, underscores the critical intersection of national security and the integrity of information management within the government, illustrating the ongoing challenges surrounding secure communication initiatives.