WASHINGTON – A Pentagon inspector general found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have put U.S. troops at risk by sharing details of a planned military strike in Yemen using the commercial messaging app Signal, according to sources familiar with the classified report.
The IG determined that the information Hegseth shared had been properly classified by U.S. Central Command, but because of its sensitive nature, it should not have been transmitted through a commercial messaging service, the sources said. Hegseth declined to be interviewed as part of the investigation but told the IG in a written statement that he acted within his authority to classify and declassify information. He also insisted that the information was not sensitive and would not endanger troops, a claim the IG rejected.
Hegseth posted on X following the report, stating, “No classified information. Total exoneration. Case closed. Houthis bombed into submission. Thank you for your attention to this IG report.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the findings “affirm that no classified information was leaked, and operational security was not compromised,” and noted that President Trump continues to support Hegseth.
The IG report drew criticism from some lawmakers. Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, described it as “a damning review,” calling Hegseth an “incompetent secretary” whose judgment put service members at risk. Smith also criticized Hegseth for refusing to meet with the IG and answer questions.
Hegseth’s aide, Tim Parlatore, defended him, arguing that the concerns raised were a small portion of a broader investigation that ultimately “exonerates” the secretary. Parlatore said Hegseth declined to give the IG access to his personal phone due to privacy concerns and questioned the IG’s jurisdiction. Parlatore was also included in one of the Signal chats under review, along with Hegseth’s wife and brother.
The Signal messages included detailed plans for a military strike in Yemen targeting Houthi-controlled sites, specifying the timing and use of F-18 fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles. Hegseth shared similar details in a separate chat that included family members who are not Pentagon staff. The strike was carried out as outlined in the messages.
Hegseth and his team have consistently maintained that the information shared in Signal was not classified, describing it as informal coordination rather than operational secrets. Last spring, Sens. Roger Wicker and Jack Reed called for the IG investigation due to the sensitive nature of the information.
The unclassified findings of the IG report are expected to be released publicly.