Pentagon Watchdog: Former Secretary's Messaging App Use Risked Troops

A Pentagon investigation has concluded that former Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth potentially endangered U.S. troops through his use of a private messaging application, according to sources familiar with the report. The internal review by the Department of Defense Inspector General found that Hegseth used the commercial app Signal to relay information about a military strike in Yemen. Officials stated this practice risked exposing sensitive operational details. Using non-secure, commercial messaging platforms for official communications violates Pentagon security protocols. Such apps lack the stringent safeguards required for discussing military operations, potentially making information vulnerable. The Inspector General's findings highlight ongoing security concerns within the highest levels of the U.S. military. The report underscores that compliance with established communication protocols is critical for operational security and troop safety. The Department of Defense has not publicly released the full report. Hegseth has not yet commented on the investigation's conclusions.