Pentagon IG releases report on Hegseth’s Signal use; watchdog says troops were put at risk
The Pentagon inspector general released a report finding that Pete Hegseth used his personal Signal app to share sensitive, near‑real‑time details — including target timing, quantities and specific aircraft (F‑18s, MQ‑9s, Tomahawks) tied to strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen — information the IG said could have endangered U.S. personnel and the mission. The classified report was delivered to Congress with a partially redacted public version released, and while it did not conclusively find improper declassification, Pentagon spokespeople called the review exculpatory and the chats reportedly included other officials and a journalist who was accidentally added.
📌 Key Facts
- The Defense Department inspector general (identified as Steven Stebbins) delivered a classified report to Congress/Senate leaders and released a partially redacted public version on Dec. 4, 2025; PBS published the document.
- The IG found Pete Hegseth used personal Signal chats to transmit nonpublic DoD information tied to a Yemen operation against Houthi militants, including precise launch/strike timings and details on assets (F-18s, MQ-9 drones, Tomahawk missiles).
- The report says those messages were sent roughly 2–4 hours before the strikes and that interception by a foreign adversary would have endangered U.S. service members and the mission, concluding the conduct put personnel and the mission at risk.
- Investigators traced the sensitive details Hegseth posted to a SECRET//NOFORN email from Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, and a journalist (Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic) was accidentally added to a chat, which led to public exposure of the messages.
- Report materials include time‑stamped Signal messages attributed to Hegseth; reported chat participants included figures such as JD Vance, Marco Rubio and Tulsi Gabbard in one group, and a separate 13‑person chat that included Hegseth’s wife and brother.
- The IG reviewed classification and records‑retention compliance; it did not conclusively find improper declassification but noted Hegseth asserted he had authority to declassify and said he determined the information did not need to be classified.
- Hegseth declined an in‑person interview (providing only written responses) and did not grant direct access to his personal phone; examiners found some messages had auto‑deleted. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called the report a “TOTAL exoneration,” while top Democrats on intelligence committees characterized Hegseth’s conduct as reckless.
📊 Relevant Data
Black Americans make up just over 13 percent of the U.S. population but account for nearly 19 percent of active-duty Army personnel.
Black Americans face unequal burden as US inches closer to war — AFRO
Black servicemembers have routinely been overrepresented in frontline and high-risk roles while underrepresented in officer ranks.
Black Americans face unequal burden as US inches closer to war — AFRO
In 2023, 17.6% of active-duty US military personnel identified as Black or African American.
2023 Demographics Profile of the Military Community — Military OneSource
📊 Analysis & Commentary (2)
Playbook: The case for the defense
"The Playbook analysis critiques Pete Hegseth’s Signalgate conduct and links it to the Sept. 2 boat‑strike controversy, arguing the IG report and congressional briefings create serious operational and political problems for him — but notes the White House’s loyalty makes his near‑term removal unlikely despite long‑term vulnerability."
Weaponizing Anger, Malignant Narcissism, Logical Chimpanzees
"A critical opinion piece that uses psychological framing (weaponized anger, malignant narcissism) to condemn Pete Hegseth’s Signal posts and the broader administration culture that tolerates reckless, attention‑seeking breaches of classified operational norms and calls for accountability."
📰 Sources (11)
Pentagon watchdog finds Hegseth broke policies by using Signal to discuss airstrikes
New information:
- Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called the IG review a 'TOTAL exoneration' and said no classified information was shared, declaring the matter resolved.
- IG report language specifies Hegseth sent nonpublic DoD information identifying 'the quantity and strike times of manned U.S. aircraft' over an unapproved network 'approximately 2 to 4 hours before' the strikes.
Signalgate report finds Hegseth potentially put U.S. forces at risk
New information:
- IG report ties the Signal messages to sequencing details for an upcoming strike on Houthis in Yemen, saying they could have enabled adversaries to counter U.S. forces or reposition assets.
- Hegseth declined an interview and did not provide direct access to his personal phone; the IG says some chat messages had auto‑deleted due to settings when extracted.
- Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell called the report a “TOTAL exoneration” and claimed it proves no classified information was shared.
- Hegseth told the IG in writing he determined the information did not need to be classified.
Read the full report on Hegseth’s use of Signal from the Pentagon inspector general
New information:
- The Pentagon Inspector General’s full report on Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal was publicly released on Dec. 4, 2025; PBS published the document.
- Top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees (Rep. Jim Himes, Sen. Mark Warner) criticized the conduct as reckless, noting the report shows multiple instances of Signal used for official business.
- AP sourcing reiterated the IG’s finding that Hegseth endangered U.S. personnel by conveying sensitive strike information via Signal.
Who is Adm. Bradley? Lawmakers will hear from Navy admiral who reportedly ordered attack that killed boat strike survivors
New information:
- The Defense Department inspector general’s partially redacted report on Hegseth’s use of Signal is expected to be released on Thursday, Dec. 4, per PBS/AP.
- The IG release is occurring the same day as Bradley’s classified briefings to congressional leaders.
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New information:
- NPR reports the Signal group chat included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic.
- According to NPR’s sources who reviewed the IG report, it concludes Hegseth violated Pentagon regulations by using a personal cellphone for official business.
- NPR specifies the messages included precise launch times for F‑18s, drones, and Tomahawk missiles, and notes the report does not state whether Hegseth actually declassified the information before sharing.
Hegseth’s Signal chat put U.S. personnel at risk, Pentagon watchdog finds
New information:
- PBS specifies the incident involved a Yemen operation against Houthi militants.
- Says a journalist was accidentally added to the Signal chat providing sensitive, real-time strike updates.
- Frames the risky conduct as tied to discussing an active strike earlier this year via Signal.
Pentagon watchdog finds Hegseth risked the safety of U.S. forces with use of Signal
New information:
- IG identified as Steven Stebbins; report expected to be released as early as Thursday.
- Report says Hegseth shared targets, timing, and aircraft details to two Signal groups that included his wife and brother.
- Finding states interception by an adversary would have endangered U.S. servicemembers and the mission.
- Hegseth declined an interview with investigators, providing only a written response.
- Hegseth asserted he could declassify information; IG did not determine whether the material was declassified at the time of sharing but noted he had authority to do so.
- Context ties the chats to planning for U.S. airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, initially exposed after a journalist was added to the Signal chat.
DoD watchdog finds Hegseth's Signal chat violated regulations, sources say
New information:
- IG found Hegseth violated DoD policies by using his personal device and transmitting sensitive operational information in a Signal chat.
- The sensitive details Hegseth posted were derived from a SECRET//NOFORN email sent by Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla.
- Sources say the report concludes interception by a foreign adversary would have clearly endangered U.S. service members and the mission.
- The IG report, classified, was delivered to Congress on Tuesday; a public version is expected Thursday.
- Sources told CBS the report does not address whether Hegseth declassified the information before posting.
Pentagon watchdog says Hegseth’s use of Signal app put U.S. personnel at risk, AP sources say
New information:
- IG concluded Hegseth’s use of Signal to share sensitive strike details 'put U.S. personnel and their mission at risk.'
- Report did not find improper declassification by Hegseth, per sources.
- Report has been delivered to lawmakers for classified review; a partially redacted public version is expected later this week.
- Hegseth shared exact launch and bomb-drop timings in at least two Signal chats before aircraft were airborne.
- Participants in one chat included VP JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and DNI Tulsi Gabbard; a separate 13-person chat included Hegseth’s wife and brother.
Pentagon probe into secret Signal chats on Houthi strikes set to drop Thursday as Hegseth faces scrutiny
New information:
- Confirms the DoD IG’s classified report was provided to the Senate Armed Services Committee and says a redacted public version will be released Thursday.
- Identifies then–National Security Advisor Mike Waltz as the creator of the Signal chat and names The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg as the journalist inadvertently added.
- Publishes specific time-stamped Signal messages attributed to Pete Hegseth detailing strike timing and assets (F-18s, MQ-9s, Tomahawks) and an 'OPSEC is clean' note.
- Reiterates the IG is reviewing classification and records retention compliance tied to the Signal chats.