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Investigation Launched into DOD’s Use of Encrypted Messaging for Sensitive Military Discussions
The inspector general of the Department of Defense (DOD) has initiated an investigation concerning Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s engagement with the encrypted messaging application Signal for discussions surrounding sensitive military operations in Yemen.
This inquiry, unveiled on Thursday, was prompted by a bipartisan appeal from the Senate Armed Services Committee. It follows allegations that critical and likely classified intelligence related to US airstrikes in Yemen—including details about timing and types of aircraft—was exchanged in a Signal group chat that included a journalist.
The investigation will assess adherence to classification protocols and records retention standards, particularly as evidence suggests these may have been violated due to a timer feature activated on the chat channel.
According to official documents, the examination will “determine the extent to which the Secretary of Defense and other DOD personnel complied with DOD policies and procedures for the use of a commercial messaging application for official business,” the memo states.
The push for the inquiry was led by Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, alongside Democrat member Jack Reed. They expressed concerns after discovering that Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, participated in a Signal chat with members of the National Security Council focused on operations in Yemen.
In their letter to the inspector general, Wicker and Reed remarked, “This chat was alleged to have included classified information pertaining to sensitive military actions in Yemen.” They articulated a serious concern, stating, “If true, this reporting raises questions as to the use of unclassified networks to discuss sensitive and classified information, as well as the sharing of such information with those who do not have proper clearance and need to know.”
The implications of the investigation could extend beyond individual accountability, potentially affecting how the DOD manages communications technology in the context of national security.
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www.theguardian.com