Signal war-chat leak: Pentagon watchdog probes if orders given to Hegseth's aides to delete messages

The Pentagon's watchdog is investigating whether any of Secretary Pete Hegseth's staff were instructed to delete Signal messages that possibly communicated sensitive military details to a journalist, based on documents and information from two sources familiar with the inquiry, quoted by the Associated Press.The investigation centres on the dissemination of information via the messaging platform regarding the March 15 strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.The timing is significant as Hegseth prepares for his first congressional testimony since confirmation, where he will likely address concerns about his information management practices, recent senior staff departures, and internal leak investigations.Previous scrutiny has focused on Hegseth's installation of an non-secure internet connection bypassing security protocols, and his sharing of military operation details in multiple Signal conversations.The communications included separate chats with his family members and senior national security officials, with The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg accidentally included in one group.The investigation scope includes identifying who posted information and had access to Hegseth's device, according to AP sources and documents.

The sources spoke anonymously due to restrictions on discussing the matter.Some lawmakers from both parties have criticised Hegseth's sharing of operational details before mission completion, suggesting such actions could have endangered pilots and would typically result in dismissal for lower-ranking personnel.Whilst Hegseth maintains the shared information was unclassified, multiple defence experts assert that such specific pre-strike details would not normally be permitted on unsecured devices. "I said repeatedly, nobody is texting war plans," Hegseth told Fox News Channel in April after reporting emerged about the chat that included his family members. "I look at war plans every day. What was shared over Signal then and now, however you characterize it, was informal, unclassified coordinations, for media coordinations and other things. That's what I've said from the beginning."President Donald Trump has maintained support for Hegseth, acknowledging his challenges during a Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery.Since the Signal controversy, Hegseth has reduced media interactions, avoiding Pentagon press briefings, with his spokesperson conducting only one such session.The investigation was initiated at the request of Senate Armed Services Committee leadership, including Chairman Senator Roger Wicker and ranking Democrat Senator Jack Reed.While Signal offers encrypted communications, it remains vulnerable to hacking and lacks approval for classified information transmission.

The Defence Department highlighted these vulnerabilities on March 14, one day before the Houthi strikes.Trump justified the Houthi operations citing their "unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence and terrorism" and their disruption of vital shipping routes.Between November 2023 and January, Houthi forces attacked over 100 vessels, causing two sinkings and four fatalities. Their leadership linked these actions to opposing Israel's Gaza operations.