Hegseth Risked Endangering Troops With Signal Messages

"Now the Pentagon's top watchdog has concluded that the information Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared in the chat could have put the mission, U.S. personnel, and national security at risk had it fallen into the wrong hands. The information Hegseth shared included the precise times that fighter pilots would attack their targets. If Houthi militants had learned those details in advance, they might have been able to shoot down American planes or better defend their positions."

"The Defense Department Inspector General found that while the mission ultimately was not jeopardized, Hegseth violated his department's own policies when he used Signal, a commercial messaging app that is not approved for sharing classified information. The IG's report, scheduled to be published on Thursday, was described to us by numerous U.S. officials familiar with its findings. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Neither did an attorney for Hegseth."

The Pentagon inspector general concluded that information shared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a Signal group could have endangered the mission, U.S. personnel, and national security if intercepted. Hegseth posted precise strike times for fighter pilots, details that could have allowed Houthi militants to shoot down aircraft or better defend positions. The IG found the mission was not ultimately jeopardized but determined Hegseth violated department policies by using Signal, a commercial messaging app not approved for classified information. The report found the information was classified when Hegseth received it. Pentagon and Hegseth's attorney did not immediately comment.

Read at The Atlantic