A probe highlights concerns over security protocols and classified information handling
Pentagon Launches Investigation into Hegseth's Signal App Communications
Pentagon Launches Investigation into Hegseth's Signal App Communications
Scrutiny mounts over military discussions on unclassified messaging platform
The inspector general of the US Department of Defense has initiated an investigation into Pete Hegseth's use of the Signal application for communicating with senior officials regarding military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This move follows significant backlash after a journalist was inadvertently included in a group chat that revealed sensitive details about military strikes. The inquiry was requested by the Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee, aiming to assess compliance with DoD protocols concerning messaging applications for official discussions. Acting inspector general Steven Stebbins emphasized the review would evaluate adherence to classification and records retention policies.
The incident originally captured public attention when Atlantic magazine’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, was mistakenly added to a chat discussing precise strike timings and weaponry. In the wake of this, Democrats have been vocal in their calls for resignations from Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who established the group chat, while the Trump administration insists that the information shared was not classified.
The inspector general’s correspondence has requested Hegseth to provide two points of contact for the investigation within five days, including one regular employee acquainted with the incident and either a Senior Executive Service member or a General/Flag Officer. The review will span both Washington DC and US Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida. During a recent news briefing, Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged the investigation but stated that it had not yet been referred to her office for further action.
On 26 March, Senate Armed Services Committee chair Roger Wicker and ranking member Jack Reed formally urged the Pentagon watchdog to scrutinize the content exchanged in the Signal chat, evaluate DoD policy on disclosing sensitive information via non-governmental channels, and provide recommendations for the future. They highlighted that the episode raises critical concerns over discussing sensitive and classified information using unclassified networks.
The incident originally captured public attention when Atlantic magazine’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, was mistakenly added to a chat discussing precise strike timings and weaponry. In the wake of this, Democrats have been vocal in their calls for resignations from Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who established the group chat, while the Trump administration insists that the information shared was not classified.
The inspector general’s correspondence has requested Hegseth to provide two points of contact for the investigation within five days, including one regular employee acquainted with the incident and either a Senior Executive Service member or a General/Flag Officer. The review will span both Washington DC and US Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida. During a recent news briefing, Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged the investigation but stated that it had not yet been referred to her office for further action.
On 26 March, Senate Armed Services Committee chair Roger Wicker and ranking member Jack Reed formally urged the Pentagon watchdog to scrutinize the content exchanged in the Signal chat, evaluate DoD policy on disclosing sensitive information via non-governmental channels, and provide recommendations for the future. They highlighted that the episode raises critical concerns over discussing sensitive and classified information using unclassified networks.
