The investigation aims to assess compliance with military communication protocols following concerns over sensitive information shared via the app.
Pentagon Investigates Pete Hegseth's Use of Signal App for Military Communications
Pentagon Investigates Pete Hegseth's Use of Signal App for Military Communications
The Department of Defense's inspector general is probing the messaging practices of a high-profile official in light of a major unintended disclosure.
The inspector general of the US Department of Defense has initiated an inquiry into Pete Hegseth's use of the Signal app, where he allegedly communicated with other senior officials regarding military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This scrutiny follows a situation where a journalist was accidentally included in a group conversation that contained sensitive details about planned military strikes, prompting significant controversy.
The investigation was ordered by the Republic-led Senate Armed Services Committee, focusing on whether Department of Defense personnel adhered to guidelines relating to the use of messaging platforms for official discussions. Acting inspector general Steven Stebbins noted that they would examine how well Hegseth and his colleagues maintained compliance with classification standards and requirements for record retention.
The repercussions of this incident reverberated in Washington when Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of the Atlantic magazine, found himself inadvertently added to the group chat in early March. Within this conversation, Hegseth discussed precise timings for military actions and the specifics of weaponry to be used. Following the leak, Democratic legislators have demanded resignations from several officials, including Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz — the individual who set up the chat. The Trump administration has insisted that the content of the messages did not breach classification protocols.
The inspector general's correspondence has requested that Hegseth submit two contacts for this inquiry within a five-day timeframe: one from within his team who can provide insight into the incident and another who holds a senior position in the government. The investigation will occur in both Washington, D.C., and at the US Central Command’s base in Tampa, Florida.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed her awareness of the investigation at a recent press conference, although she commented that no cases have been referred to her office thus far. On March 26th, Senate Armed Services Committee leaders Roger Wicker and Jack Reed called upon the watchdog to examine the exchanges within the Signal chat, the established defense department protocols concerning sensitive data, and to propose necessary actions for the government. They remarked that this incident raises serious concerns about utilizing unclassified communication systems to address sensitive and classified information.
The investigation was ordered by the Republic-led Senate Armed Services Committee, focusing on whether Department of Defense personnel adhered to guidelines relating to the use of messaging platforms for official discussions. Acting inspector general Steven Stebbins noted that they would examine how well Hegseth and his colleagues maintained compliance with classification standards and requirements for record retention.
The repercussions of this incident reverberated in Washington when Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of the Atlantic magazine, found himself inadvertently added to the group chat in early March. Within this conversation, Hegseth discussed precise timings for military actions and the specifics of weaponry to be used. Following the leak, Democratic legislators have demanded resignations from several officials, including Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz — the individual who set up the chat. The Trump administration has insisted that the content of the messages did not breach classification protocols.
The inspector general's correspondence has requested that Hegseth submit two contacts for this inquiry within a five-day timeframe: one from within his team who can provide insight into the incident and another who holds a senior position in the government. The investigation will occur in both Washington, D.C., and at the US Central Command’s base in Tampa, Florida.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed her awareness of the investigation at a recent press conference, although she commented that no cases have been referred to her office thus far. On March 26th, Senate Armed Services Committee leaders Roger Wicker and Jack Reed called upon the watchdog to examine the exchanges within the Signal chat, the established defense department protocols concerning sensitive data, and to propose necessary actions for the government. They remarked that this incident raises serious concerns about utilizing unclassified communication systems to address sensitive and classified information.
