🔗 Share this article Defense Department Investigation Finds Defense Secretary Placed Military Personnel in Jeopardy with Signal Chat. A long-awaited Pentagon review has concluded that Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth violated official protocols by disclosing classified information in a Signal messaging chat, as stated by a person briefed on the findings. Particulars of the Event The online conversation in dispute contained details about a scheduled air attack in Yemen targeting Houthi militants. This discussion came to light after a journalist for the Atlantic was included as a participant. Other individuals in the group allegedly included JD Vance, CIA director John Ratcliffe, and former security advisor Mike Waltz. The report did not examine the actions of Hegseth, as the other officials do not work at the Pentagon. Signal is a commercially offered messaging app that was not authorized for handling classified information. Potential Threat to Forces The internal investigation found that the information shared by Hegseth was classified and posed a risk to the safety of US service members if it had been intercepted by a foreign enemy force. Notably, the document also noted that Hegseth possessed the authority to declassify the information he shared, though it was unclear whether he actually did so. Hegseth's Reaction The source said that Hegseth declined an interview by the inspector general. Instead, he provided a short written response. In his response, Hegseth claimed he only shared details that would not have risked lives or compromised the mission. He added that he had the right to declassify material and viewed the investigation to be politically motivated. Next Steps The completed report has been provided to lawmakers. An publicly releasable copy is anticipated to be made public later this week.