Pentagon Watchdog Highlights Policy Violation by Defense Secretary
The recent findings of a Pentagon investigation have put the spotlight on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for potentially compromising U.S. military operations by communicating via an unapproved messaging app. This revelation stems from a report released by the Pentagon’s Inspector General, Steven Stebbins, following a thorough investigation.
Concerns were raised after a journalist from The Atlantic disclosed in March that they inadvertently received access to a Signal group chat. This chat included discussions among top officials regarding U.S. airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Atlantic report triggered the investigation.
The 84-page document reveals that Secretary Hegseth used the Signal app, installed on his personal phone, to relay sensitive military details. This action, the report implies, could have endangered American troops and the operation’s success.
According to the report, “The Secretary sent nonpublic DoD information identifying the quantity and strike times of manned U.S. aircraft over hostile territory over an unapproved, unsecure network approximately 2 to 4 hours before the execution of those strikes.”
Moreover, it noted, “Using a personal cell phone to conduct official business and send nonpublic DoD information through Signal risks potential compromise of sensitive DoD information, which could cause harm to DoD personnel and mission objectives.”
While Hegseth refrained from participating in a direct interview for the investigation, he submitted a written statement defending his actions. He claimed the shared information did not necessitate classification.
In response to the report, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell emphasized that the findings cleared Hegseth of wrongdoing. “The Inspector General review is a TOTAL exoneration of Secretary Hegseth and proves what we knew all along — no classified information was shared. This matter is resolved, and the case is closed,” Parnell declared.
NPR disclosure: Katherine Maher, the CEO of NPR, chairs the board of the Signal Foundation.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
