Defense Secretary Faces Scrutiny Over Yemen Strike Messages \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Pentagon’s inspector general is investigating whether aides to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were asked to delete Signal messages sharing sensitive military details. The probe centers on leaked information about March airstrikes in Yemen. Hegseth is scheduled to testify before Congress amid rising concerns over information security.
Quick Looks
- Watchdog probes deletion of Signal chats linked to Yemen airstrikes
- Defense Secretary Hegseth under fire over leaked military info
- Signal messages allegedly shared with media and non-secure contacts
- Hegseth’s congressional testimony expected to focus on leaks, turmoil
- Trump defends Hegseth amid national security questions
Deep Look
The U.S. Department of Defense is facing a growing controversy over digital communication practices at its highest levels, as the Pentagon’s inspector general investigates whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or his aides deleted encrypted Signal messages that may have contained sensitive military information. The probe, confirmed by two sources familiar with the inquiry and internal documents obtained by The Associated Press, centers on unauthorized disclosures related to a U.S. airstrike on Houthi targets in Yemen conducted on March 15.
At the heart of the investigation is the use of Signal, an encrypted messaging platform widely used for private communication but not approved for transmitting classified information. The inspector general’s review is examining whether details of the Yemen strike—discussed in Signal chats that included journalists, family members, and top national security officials—compromised operational security or violated federal communication protocols.
This scandal surfaces as Hegseth prepares to appear before Congress next week—his first testimony since assuming office. Lawmakers are expected to question him extensively about the incident, as well as broader concerns about internal dysfunction and leadership instability within the Department of Defense.
Documents reviewed by the AP and corroborated by sources reveal that the inspector general is not only asking whether messages were deleted but also identifying who had physical or digital access to Hegseth’s phone on the day of the strike. Investigators are speaking with current and former aides about the dissemination of information and determining whether any attempts were made to destroy or conceal evidence.
The Signal controversy emerged after revelations that Hegseth had used the app to share strike-related details in multiple group chats, one of which included his wife and brother. Another chat featured senior Trump administration officials and inadvertently included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, raising alarms about inadvertent disclosures to the press.
Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans have sharply criticized the apparent breach of protocol, suggesting that had a lower-ranking officer shared such information—especially before aircraft had reached their targets—it could have led to disciplinary action or dismissal. The concern stems from both the timing of the leak and the potential risk it posed to U.S. military personnel operating in active combat zones.
Hegseth has denied that any classified material was shared, saying in an April interview with Fox News, “Nobody is texting war plans.” He claimed that the Signal messages were informal and related to media coordination, not operational tactics. “I look at war plans every day. What was shared over Signal then and now… was informal, unclassified coordinations.”
Despite those claims, multiple military experts and former defense officials have pushed back, arguing that even unclassified but specific operational details—especially shared in real-time or ahead of missions—can endanger lives and breach military confidentiality standards.
The Pentagon’s press secretary, Kingsley Wilson, declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. The inspector general’s office also stated that it would release unclassified portions of its report once the review is complete.
In a parallel development, scrutiny over Hegseth’s conduct has intensified since the discovery of an unsecured internet connection installed in his office. The unauthorized line reportedly bypassed Pentagon cybersecurity protocols, compounding concerns over the Defense Secretary’s approach to handling sensitive communications.
Supporters of Hegseth, including former President Donald Trump, have rallied behind him. At a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Trump praised Hegseth for his service, saying the secretary had “gone through a lot” and is “doing really well.” Trump continues to defend the Yemen strikes, which he said were aimed at deterring Houthi rebels responsible for attacks on global shipping.
Between November 2023 and January 2024, the Houthis attacked over 100 merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The assaults killed four sailors and sank two ships, severely disrupting global trade routes. Houthi leaders claimed the attacks were part of their efforts to end Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, framing their operations as a response to U.S. and Israeli policies in the region.
In response, the U.S. launched a series of targeted airstrikes, including the March 15 operation, which is now the center of the leak probe. The Department of Defense had already issued warnings about Signal’s security limitations just one day before the operation, cautioning staff that the platform was not suitable for transmitting operational data.
The Pentagon investigation was initiated at the request of Senate Armed Services Committee leaders—Republican Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Democratic Ranking Member Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island—both of whom have expressed concern over potential breaches of trust within the military’s top echelons.
Meanwhile, Hegseth has kept a low profile. He has yet to lead a formal Pentagon press briefing since taking office, and his spokesperson has only appeared once to field questions from the press. His limited public engagement has only fueled further speculation about the severity of the situation and his future in the role.
As the investigation unfolds, all eyes are on Hegseth’s upcoming congressional testimony, which may provide the first clear explanation of what transpired, and how the Pentagon plans to prevent similar breaches in the future.
Defense Secretary Faces
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