Pentagon inspectors have launched an investigation into whether Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses violated departmental policies by discussing military attack plans in a private signal chat, following the Atlantic report.
According to a memo from investigative inspector General Stephen Stebbins, the probe examines whether it inappropriately discussed the operational plans for the US attack on Yemen’s Hoosys and also reviews “compliance with classification and record keeping requirements.”
The investigation was launched after top Senate Republicans and Democrats Armed Services The committee requested that last week.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses condemned the Atlantic report on signal chat leaks. (Omar Marques/Getty Images)
“The chat is said to contain classification information on sensitive military discussions in Yemen,” Roger Wicker, R-Miss. and ranking member Dr. Jack Reed wrote. With a letter To the proxy general of General Stephen Stevins. “If so, this report raises questions regarding the use of unclassified networks and discusses classified sensitive information.”
The memorandum addressed to Hegseth asked him to specify two contacts for the investigation, saying it would take place at Washington, D.C., Tampa, Florida, and at the headquarters of the US Central Command.
Last month, Hegseth began details related to the attack campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels to the president’s principal advisor via Signal App Chat National Security Advisor. The chat unintentionally included Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg.
Stebbins is the acting pentagonal watchdog after President Donald Trump Seventeen inspectors have been firedHe was immediately after taking office, including IG of the Department of Defense.
Hegseth’s signalling messages revealed that F-18s, naval fighter jets, MQ-9s, drones, and Tomahawk cruise missiles will be used on the Houthis strike.
“1215et: F-18S launch (1st strike package)” Heggs said in one message informing high-level administrative staff chat that the attack is underway.
“1345: The ‘trigger-based’ F-18 1st strike window begins (the target terrorist is @ his known location so it should be on time.
“1410: Other F-18 releases (second strike package)”
“1415: Target Strike Drone (this is when the first bomb definitely falls and holds on the previous ‘trigger-based’ target)”
“The second strike of the 1536 F-18 is underway, and the first sea-based Tomahawks have been released.”
“Follow more (by timeline)”
“We are currently clean at OPSEC,” meaning operational security.
Waltz later wrote that the mission was successful. “The first target – their top missile man actively identified as walking to his girlfriend’s building. It’s now collapsed.”
Trump administration officials have argued that nothing is shared in chat.
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“There is no place, there is no source or way. There is no war plan,” Waltz wrote in X last week.
Government officials often use sensitive information to communicate using signals, as the use of sensitive information facilities (SCIFs) is not always accessible.
This is a developing story. Please check for updates.
