Pentagon Watchdog Concludes Hegseth's Signal Use for Yemen War Plans Risked Troops, Violated Policy

Washington D.C. – A Pentagon Inspector General (IG) report has concluded that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth risked endangering American troops and compromising military operations by sharing highly sensitive attack plans for Houthi rebels in Yemen via the Signal messaging app in March 2025. The classified report, delivered to Congress on Tuesday, December 3, 2025, found that Hegseth's actions violated Pentagon policies and failed to preserve communications as required by federal law, according to sources familiar with its contents. An unclassified version of the report is anticipated for public release on Thursday.

The IG's investigation, launched in April at the request of the Senate Armed Services Committee, revealed that Hegseth used Signal to disseminate specific, real-time updates about planned military strikes, including precise timings for bomb drops. These details originated from a US Central Command document marked "Secret/NOFORN," indicating it was not to be shared with foreign nationals. Messages were sent to at least two group chats, one of which included other senior Trump administration officials and, inadvertently, a reporter from The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg.

Further findings indicated Hegseth shared similar operational details in a separate Signal chat that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer, individuals unauthorized to review such information. The report specifically stated that Hegseth "should not have used Signal" for official business and highlighted the need for better training on communication protocols for senior Defense Department officials. Hegseth declined to be interviewed by the Inspector General, providing only a written statement.

In his defense, Hegseth maintained that as Secretary of Defense, he possesses original classification authority, allowing him to unilaterally declassify information, and asserted his actions were an operational decision. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell, however, stated in an email to CNN after publication, "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." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, stating, "This review affirms what the Administration has said from the beginning — no classified information was leaked, and operational security was not compromised."

Despite the administration's stance, the IG report indicated that had the intelligence been intercepted by an adversary, it "would have endangered both U.S. servicemembers and the mission at large." Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed concern, noting, "it's pretty clear he shouldn't have been using his cell phone and an unsecure app, unofficial app with regards to DOD, to be sharing that kind of information." The incident has brought renewed attention to Hegseth's judgment, with some lawmakers calling for increased scrutiny.