Hegseth at fault in Pentagon review over Signal chats on Yemen

Hegseth

Hegseth used Signal for sensitive military details, risking troop safety.
He faces rising scrutiny over US strikes in the Caribbean.
His use of a personal device violated Pentagon communication policy.

WASHINGTON: A Pentagon investigation has faulted US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for using Signal on his personal device to transmit sensitive information about planned strikes in Yemen. Officials said this breach could have endangered US troops if intercepted.

However, the Inspector General’s report did not determine whether the information was classified at the time. It noted that Hegseth, as defence secretary, could decide what to classify and what to declassify.

The report is expected to be released publicly later this week.

In a statement, the Pentagon said the review cleared Hegseth. He repeated this claim on X, writing, “No classified information. Total exoneration. Case closed.”

Legal Concerns Intensify

Scrutiny is rising at a sensitive moment for Hegseth, who oversees deadly US strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean. These operations have raised serious legal questions.

Prominent Democrats, including senior members of the House Armed Services Committee, said the Signal breach showed Hegseth lacked the judgment required from a defence secretary.

Representative Adam Smith said, “This report is a damning review of an incompetent secretary of defence who has no understanding of how to safeguard service members.”

Hegseth shared details of the March 15 US operation against Houthi fighters in Yemen with senior Trump officials — mistakenly including The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg.

Goldberg later disclosed the chat in an article. When Trump officials accused him of exaggerating, he published screenshots that showed Hegseth texting plans two hours before the secret mission.

The IG report said the information had been classified when it was sent. If intercepted, it could have endangered US personnel and compromised the mission.

Hegseth denied sharing classified material and refused to be interviewed for the investigation. In a written statement, he argued he could declassify information at will. He also claimed political motives behind the probe, despite bipartisan calls for the investigation.

Pattern of Reckless Communication

Democrats and former officials were shocked by Hegseth’s defense of using Signal for war plans. They stressed that timing and targeting details are among the most sensitive elements of any US military operation.

Had the Houthis known about the strike, they could have escaped to more populated areas, increasing civilian risk and possibly halting the mission.

The chat did not include names or exact coordinates, but the IG report still ruled the breach dangerous.

Senator Mark Warner said investigators discovered several other instances of Signal being used for official business. He said this showed a “broader pattern of recklessness.”

The IG report noted that Hegseth turned over only a small number of Signal messages. Investigators relied heavily on screenshots published by The Atlantic.