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The Pentagon is currently examining Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of the Signal app following revelations that he shared classified information regarding potential U.S. airstrikes in Yemen with a private group on the platform. Sources report that on March 15, Hegseth communicated details that included flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornets, which were slated to target Houthi positions.
These communications were concerning, particularly as they coincided with a separate Signal chat where Hegseth inadvertently included Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, raising alarms about the protocols senior officials follow in managing sensitive military data.
The private group included Hegseth’s spouse, Jennifer, a former producer for Fox News who does not hold an official position at the Department of Defense. Her involvement in high-level discussions and international travel with her husband has been a point of contention in the past, particularly after disclosures by the Wall Street Journal.
In addition to Jennifer, Hegseth’s brother, Phil Hegseth, and his personal attorney, Tim Parlatore—both affiliated with the Pentagon—were also part of these discussions. However, it is unclear why they would need access to early intelligence on military operations.
The initial report regarding the second Signal chat emerged from The New York Times, highlighting concerns surrounding communication security among high-ranking officials.
Signal, while being an encrypted messaging platform, is known for its text messaging capabilities but also supports voice and video calls. The app offers features for messages to disappear after a set duration and claims not to collect or retain sensitive user data. Despite its advanced encryption, experts caution that it is not impervious to security vulnerabilities.
As of now, officials at the Pentagon have remained silent on this developing issue.
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