Exclusive: Watchdog discovers Hegseth jeopardized troops by sharing confidential war plans on Signal, sources reveal

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth potentially endangered U.S. troops and military operations by transmitting highly classified attack plans against Houthi rebels in Yemen via the messaging app Signal in March, according to four sources familiar with a classified Inspector General (IG) report.

While the IG noted that Hegseth retains the authority to declassify information, the report highlights uncertainty around whether he formally declassified the material before sharing it with other top officials and, inadvertently, a journalist. Hegseth told the IG he acted on operational judgment, but no formal documentation exists to support that claim. An unclassified summary of the report is scheduled for public release on Thursday, with the full classified report having been delivered to Congress on Tuesday night.

Messages from Hegseths Signal account reportedly included real-time updates on planned strikes, with some messages specifying exact timing. Sources said it remains unclear if proper declassification procedures were followed before sending the information to authorized and unauthorized recipients, including several senior Trump officials, Hegseths personal contacts, and a reporter who was accidentally added to the chat.

The IGs investigation found that Hegseth declined an in-person interview and instead submitted a written statement. The report concludes that Signal should not have been used for such communications and emphasizes the need for senior Defense Department officials to receive updated training on secure protocols. Pentagon officials did not respond to requests for comment.

The findings could intensify bipartisan scrutiny over Hegseths judgment and revive concerns that nearly led to his dismissal earlier this year. Sources said the report notes that sharing sensitive information with unauthorized individuals and failing to properly preserve communications violated federal requirements.

In addition to one main group chat, Hegseth reportedly shared classified operational details in at least one other Signal group chat that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. Some witnesses recalled participating in up to a dozen chats with Hegseth, though not all reportedly contained sensitive data. The leaked information came from a U.S. Central Command document marked Secret/NOFORN, restricting access to U.S. personnel only.

Hegseth maintains his declassification authority, which he believes legitimizes his actions and exempts him from certain federal record-keeping obligations. The report also discusses broader issues with federal guidance on messaging apps, noting that existing regulations do not account for communications sent via Signal or similar platforms.

Hegseth reportedly accessed Signal from his Pentagon officea secure environment where personal devices are normally prohibitedthrough a workaround implemented by his staff. The IG explored whether others could have entered information on his behalf and questioned witnesses about access to his devices.

Separately, the Air Force Office of Investigations is examining whether Hegseths staff, including his chief of staff, may have facilitated unauthorized disclosures using his electronic devices.

Author: Benjamin Carter