The Defense Department Inspector General has released findings concerning Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary. According to a report filed on Tuesday, Hegseth used an unclassified messaging app, Signal, to share classified information related to a military operation in Yemen.
Details of the Investigation
The report stems from an eight-month investigation. It revealed that Hegseth shared sensitive details about planned U.S. military strikes in March 2023. This breach of protocol raised concerns that the information could endanger American troops if intercepted by foreign adversaries.
Violation of Military Regulations
- Hegseth used his personal phone for official communications.
- This action is against military regulations.
- The Inspector General’s report did not clarify if Hegseth properly declassified the shared information.
Despite these findings, Hegseth maintains that he did not distribute classified information through the chat. The Inspector General did not issue any immediate comments, nor did the Pentagon or the White House respond promptly to the report.
Context of the Military Operation
The chat included high-ranking officials from then-President Donald Trump’s national security team. Information shared before U.S. fighter jets initiated strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels included crucial operational details.
Risk Factors
Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla communicated specific launch timings and target details using a government-secured system. This information then appeared in the Signal chat, which could have posed a serious risk to the safety of pilots involved in the operation.
Ongoing Scrutiny and Further Developments
The investigation coincides with Hegseth facing scrutiny over a subsequent military strike involving a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean. The Pentagon confirmed that the strike involved 11 individuals and resulted in at least two survivors.
Hegseth commented on the chaotic nature of such operations, stating, “This is called the fog of war.” As the situation continues to develop, lawmakers from the Senate and House armed services committees are reviewing the report, although a public version has yet to be released.
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