A recent report by newsweek has revealed that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth conducted Pentagon business through at least 12 separate Signal chats, raising concerns about the use of encrypted messaging apps for official government communications.

Details of the Report

According to sources familiar with Hegseth’s management practices, he frequently relied on Signal to coordinate various aspects of Pentagon operations, including foreign travel, media appearances, and sensitive discussions regarding military actions in Yemen .

One particularly controversial instance involved a Signal group chat where Hegseth and other senior officials reportedly discussed plans for a military strike against Yemen’s Houthi militants. The chat inadvertently included a journalist, leading to backlash and scrutiny over the use of the app for classified discussions.

Reactions and Investigations

Following the revelations, the Pentagon’s acting inspector general launched an investigation into Hegseth’s use of Signal for official business. Critics argue that such practices bypass traditional security protocols, potentially exposing sensitive military operations to unintended audiences.