Pentagon Watchdog Uncovers Classified Information in Hegseth’s Signal Messages, Sources Reveal | CNN Politics

The Pentagon’s watchdog is investigating Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for sharing classified military information on Signal, a messaging app. Evidence has surfaced that plans discussed in a group chat came from a classified document related to U.S. military operations in Yemen. This document was marked as Secret/NOFORN, indicating that it should not be shared with foreign nationals.

In April, the Pentagon began its review of Hegseth’s use of Signal. They discovered the classified document early in their probe, which could weaken Hegseth’s claims that no sensitive information was shared during the chat. Reports suggest that this conversation included several high-profile individuals, such as Vice President JD Vance and other Cabinet members.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell strongly denied that any classified material was discussed. He stated, “This Signal narrative is so old and worn out… no classified information was shared via Signal.” He insisted that operational security is a top priority in the Department of Defense, pointing to successful military operations as proof.

The inspector general’s evidence includes detailed discussion about U.S. strikes against the Houthi rebel group. This was confirmed by a transcript of the Signal chat, which had earlier been highlighted by The Atlantic. The information shared raised questions about security protocols within the military, especially given how sensitive such details are.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time concerns about military information leaking have arisen. In the past, the Pentagon has faced scrutiny over its communication practices. In 2018, a similar issue arose when classified military plans were inadvertently shared on social media, leading to a greater emphasis on securing sensitive information.

As the investigation continues, the inspector general is also exploring whether anyone had access to Hegseth’s phone at the time the information was shared. One witness noted they participated in numerous Signal chats with Hegseth, suggesting that this could be a nuanced issue of security rather than a straightforward breach.

During a hearing in June, Hegseth faced questions about the classification of the information but stated he couldn’t discuss it openly. Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton prompted him, saying he should be able to clarify if the information was classified. Hegseth, however, shielded himself by focusing on the success of the military mission instead.

As citizens navigate an increasingly complicated world of communications and information sharing, the implications of this case serve as a stark reminder of the need for careful handling of classified materials. The outcome of the investigation will have strong repercussions not only for Hegseth but also for military protocols on information sharing in the digital age.

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