New dimensions of U.S. defense secretary’s Signal-Gate scandal

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense, used the Signal messaging app for official Pentagon business far more extensively than previously disclosed. According to sources, he was active in at least 12 separate Signal chat groups.

In one instance, Hegseth used the app to instruct aides to share details of an ongoing military operation with foreign governments. Two sources confirmed that he utilized Signal to coordinate foreign travel plans, media schedules, meeting times, and other sensitive information.

According to The Wall Street Journal, many of these groups were created by Hegseth himself using an unsecured phone line in his Pentagon office or his personal mobile phone.

Sources indicate that some of Hegseth’s messages were shared in Signal groups by his military aide, Ricky Boria. In March, Boria even posted details of an imminent U.S. attack on Yemeni army positions in a group that included Hegseth’s wife, brother, and private attorney.

The report adds that Hegseth’s widespread use of Signal for daily tasks and Boria’s role in disseminating this information had not been previously disclosed. The U.S. Department of Defense and Boria have declined media requests for comment.

Steven Stebbins, the acting Inspector General of the Pentagon, announced last month that an investigation into Hegseth’s use of Signal had been launched. This followed a report by The Atlantic revealing that Hegseth shared information about an attack on Yemen in a group with senior government officials. It has now been revealed that similar information was also shared in a private group with family members.

Hegseth also shared his views on personnel matters, Pentagon budget plans, and details of government national security discussions in other groups. According to sources, messages authorizing aides to share military operation details with allies were among his most sensitive communications.

Instead of using the Pentagon’s extensive communication network, Hegseth preferred Signal to manage the Defense Department’s daily operations. He included members of his security team, office staff, deputy, and public relations officials in these groups.

Aides had to leave their desks and move to areas in the Pentagon with mobile signal coverage to access messages, as phone reception in the building is poor.

While previous administrations have used unofficial messaging apps, experts warn that using apps like Signal to share sensitive information could expose it to risks.

Mark Polymoropoulos, a former senior U.S. intelligence officer, told The Wall Street Journal, “Using personal phones and commercial apps creates unnecessary risks. The government considers Signal a non-secure platform, and that’s an accurate classification.”

According to sources, some messages sent by Hegseth disappeared and were not officially recorded, an action that may violate laws regarding the preservation of government records.

A 2023 Pentagon directive restricted the use of certain unofficial apps like Signal for official business, emphasizing that non-government messaging platforms should not be used to transmit sensitive information, even if it is not classified as confidential.

The directive states: “Department of Defense personnel must not use personal accounts, non-official emails, or non-government messaging apps for official business unless those platforms are authorized by the government or official contractors.”

It remains unclear whether Signal has been officially approved for use by Pentagon officials since the directive was issued.

Aram Gavoor, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at George Washington University Law School and a professor of national security law, said, “The Pentagon’s internal memo alone cannot definitively determine the legality of Pete Hegseth’s use of the Signal app on a personal device to transmit unclassified and non-confidential Defense Department information.”