Pentagon Inspector General Concludes Review of Defense Secretary's Signal App Use in Yemen Strikes
The Defense Department's inspector general has concluded its review of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the Signal app during the planning of U.S. strikes in Yemen. The final report was delivered to Hegseth on Tuesday, and a redacted version has been shared with Congress. The report may be made public this week, according to CBS News. Lawmakers requested the review to determine if sensitive operational details were shared on Signal, if any classified information was disclosed, and if classification and records-retention protocols were followed.
The messages exchanged on Signal were initially published by The Atlantic in a group chat called "Houthi PC small group." The magazine's editor, Jeffrey Goldberg, was accidentally added to the chat and later wrote about it. The chat included updates from then-National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Vice President JD Vance, as well as details about the aircraft and timing of the strikes from Hegseth's account. The National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the messages, while the White House stated they were not classified.
Hegseth has denied sharing classified information on Signal, but evidence obtained by the inspector general suggested otherwise. The Pentagon spokesperson reiterated that no classified information was shared via Signal. The inspector general's review focused on compliance with classification and records-retention requirements.
The investigation was initiated in response to a request from Senators Roger Wicker and Jack Reed, who sought to determine if operational details were transferred to unclassified systems and what corrective actions were taken. The completion of the inspector general's investigation coincides with Hegseth facing scrutiny over a military operation in the Caribbean on September 2. Questions have been raised about a second strike on a drug-smuggling vessel, with concerns about potential war crimes. While the administration confirmed the second strike, it denied that Hegseth issued the order, attributing it to Adm. Frank Bradley.
In conclusion, the Pentagon inspector general has wrapped up the investigation into 'Signalgate,' focusing on Hegseth's use of the Signal app during the planning of U.S. strikes in Yemen. The review examined the sharing of sensitive operational details, potential disclosure of classified information, and adherence to classification and records-retention protocols. The findings of the investigation come amid separate scrutiny of a military operation in the Caribbean involving Hegseth.