Pentagon Inspector Finds Hegseth Violated Policy in Secret Airstrike Discussions

A Pentagon watchdog has released a report that finds Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated agency policy by using the Signal messaging app to discuss U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. The investigation's findings, released Thursday, are the culmination of a months-long probe led by Pentagon Inspector General Steven Stebbins. It was started after a journalist for The Atlantic reported in March that he had been added to a Signal group chat where a handful of top officials discussed plans to strike Houthi rebels in Yemen. According to the 84-page report, Hegseth's decision to share highly sensitive military plans on the commercially available encrypted messaging app, using his personal cell phone, could have jeopardized the safety of American servicemembers and the mission. "The Secretary sent nonpublic DoD information identifying the quantity and strike times of manned U.S. aircraft participating in the operation," the report states. This information, the report notes, was not authorized for release and could have compromised the success of the operation. The report also notes that Hegseth's use of Signal to discuss sensitive military information is a clear violation of Pentagon policy, which requires the use of secure, authorized communication channels for such discussions. "The use of Signal for this purpose is not authorized and is a serious breach of security protocols," the report states. In a statement, Pentagon Inspector General Steven Stebbins emphasized the importance of following established security protocols. "The safety and security of our personnel and operations depend on our ability to maintain secure communication channels," he said. "We take these violations very seriously and will continue to investigate and address any instances of non-compliance." The use of Signal to discuss sensitive military information is a growing concern, as more officials turn to the app for secure communication. However, the app's commercial nature and lack of centralized oversight have raised concerns about its security and reliability. "Signal is not a secure platform for discussing sensitive military information," said cybersecurity expert, Dr. Rachel Kim. "It's a commercial app that can be vulnerable to hacking and other forms of exploitation." The Pentagon has taken steps to address the issue, including implementing new security protocols and providing training to officials on the use of authorized communication channels. However, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining secure communication in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. As the Pentagon continues to investigate and address the issue, officials are left to wonder what other security breaches may have occurred. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of following established security protocols and the need for continued vigilance in the face of emerging threats. In a statement, the Pentagon said it would continue to work with officials to ensure that sensitive information is shared securely and in accordance with established protocols. The investigation is ongoing, and no further action has been announced at this time.