Pentagon Watchdog: Pete Hegseth Endangered Troops by Sharing Military Plans on Signal

 A recent internal report by the Pentagon’s inspector-general found that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have endangered American service members by sharing sensitive military information via the messaging app Signal. The chat in question reportedly included detailed plans for airstrikes — including targets, timing and aircraft — against Houthi rebels in Yemen. 

📺 Watch the full report on BBC News: ▶️

Why it matters

Although Signal is encrypted, it is not authorized for handling classified U.S. military communications. The report warned that if a foreign adversary intercepted the information shared in the chat, it could have jeopardized both troops and the mission. 

What the report found

Hegseth used his personal device to transmit sensitive information — violating Pentagon policies about official communications. 

The chat included not only senior officials but also a journalist (who had been accidentally added). 

The information he relayed was originally from a classified “SECRET/NOFORN” email, meant to stay within secure channels — which made the disclosure especially risky. 

The watchdog did not explicitly conclude whether Hegseth had properly declassified the information before sharing. Though as Secretary of Defense he technically has the declassification authority, the report criticized his failure to follow secure communication protocols. 

Official response & controversy

Hegseth and Pentagon’s spokesperson maintain that “no classified information was shared,” and say the review is a “total exoneration.” 

But lawmakers and security experts have expressed serious concern — some argue that if a lower-level official had done the same, they would likely face dismissal. 

Conclusion from the watchdog

The report describes Hegseth’s use of Signal — a non-authorized, personal device/chat app — to share sensitive operational information as a clear violation of protocol. It warns that had the information been intercepted, it could have endangered lives and missions.