Pentagon Watchdog: Defense Secretary Violated Policy in Secure Messaging Group

An internal Pentagon investigation found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth broke official policy, according to sources familiar with the report. The probe focused on his use of the encrypted messaging app Signal earlier this year. The Defense Department's inspector general concluded that Hegseth shared sensitive military information in a Signal group chat. The report states this action violated department guidelines for handling such material. The findings remain internal, and the full report is not yet public. The Pentagon has not released any official statement regarding the investigation's conclusions. The watchdog report does not specify the nature of the shared information or the other participants in the chat. Further details on potential repercussions, if any, are not yet known.