The Pentagon’s acting Inspector General has launched an investigation into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of the Signal messaging app to discuss a military strike on Houthi militants in Yemen. The probe is focused on whether these communications violated Department of Defense (DoD) policies regarding classified information.
Details of the Investigation:
- Signal App Controversy: On March 15, 2025, Hegseth participated in a Signal group chat with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The conversation, which discussed sensitive details of the strike, became public after journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to the chat.
- Security Risks: Signal, while encrypted, is not authorized for official DoD communications. Using it to discuss military operations raised concerns about information security, leading to the “Signalgate” controversy.
Official Responses:
- The acting Inspector General is assessing whether Hegseth’s communications complied with DoD guidelines for handling classified information and maintaining records.
- Bipartisan leaders in the Senate Armed Services Committee have expressed concern over the potential security breaches and are calling for transparency in the investigation.
Current Status:
The investigation is ongoing, with the Inspector General’s office gathering information to determine if any rules were violated. The outcome could lead to policy changes or personnel actions within the administration.
