Hegseth faces scrutiny for using Signal to share Pentagon information
- Reports indicate Hegseth managed multiple Signal chats, including discussions related to military operations.
- The Pentagon's Inspector General is investigating potential violations of classified communication rules.
- Hegseth's use of Signal raises concerns about the handling of sensitive information and may violate federal laws.
In recent months, Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, has been under investigation for his use of the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss sensitive Pentagon operations, including military strikes. Reports indicate that Hegseth had set up at least a dozen Signal chats for official communication and at times used his personal phone to access them. Concerns arose after it was revealed that military plans might have been shared through Signal, particularly in a chat that included his family members and personal attorney. This prompted an evaluation by the Defense Department's Inspector General to determine if any Department of Defense policies were violated. The investigation expanded to include a second Signal chat involving Hegseth, in which sensitive information about military operations in Yemen was allegedly discussed. The involvement of his relatives in these chats raised serious questions about the sharing of unclassified but sensitive information through unsecured channels. Traditional record-keeping laws were potentially violated since messages on Signal can disappear without archiving. This behavior violates a 2023 Department of Defense memo that strictly limits communication through unmanaged apps like Signal when handling non-public information. The Senate Armed Services Committee, led by Sen. Roger Wicker and Sen. Jack Reed, expressed bipartisan concerns regarding the potential classification breaches involved in the communications. Following reports detailing how Hegseth used Signal to share attack plans with both family and a journalist, scrutiny of his actions increased. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that communications in these chats were informal and not classified in nature. The White House has stated that they consider the inquiry resolved and have taken steps to avoid future incidents. Still, the implications of Hegseth's actions have led to discussions about the adequacy of current security protocols within the Pentagon and raise important questions regarding the use of commercial messaging apps for sensitive communications.