The U.S. Department of Defense is reviewing how Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used the Signal app to discuss a military strike in Yemen. Signal is a secure messaging app, but it is not approved for sending or receiving classified information. This has led to serious questions about whether top officials followed the rules.
Journalist Accidentally Added to Sensitive Chat
The issue became public after a journalist was mistakenly added to a Signal chat. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, received access to the private messages. He was added by mistake by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The group included high-level figures: Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Defense Secretary Hegseth.
The chat reportedly included exact times and targets for a planned March 15 airstrike on Houthi militants in Yemen. According to sources, details were shared about when the planes would take off and when the bombs would hit. These messages were sent before the military action had even started.
Inspector General Launches Review
The Pentagon’s internal watchdog is now involved. Acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins sent a letter to Secretary Hegseth saying they are reviewing the matter. The goal is to find out if Hegseth and other officials broke any rules by using a private app for military planning.
“The objective of this evaluation is to 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 letter said.
The watchdog will also check if federal records laws were broken. These laws require that government work be saved and stored properly. Using Signal may have allowed key messages to be deleted or lost.
Senators Raise Bipartisan Concerns
The review was requested by leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Both Republican Senator Roger Wicker and Democratic Senator Jack Reed called for the investigation. They said it is important to know whether government leaders are using secure and approved systems.
In a recent hearing, Senator Reed said, “We cannot have a situation where military plans are discussed on apps that are not approved or secure.” Senator Wicker agreed, saying, “This is about protecting lives and following the law.”
Many experts agree. Retired military officials told the New York Mirror that the data shared on Signal would almost certainly be classified. Even if no actual attack plans were leaked to enemies, the use of the app still breaks common rules for military communications.
White House and Trump Administration Downplay Issue
Despite the uproar, the Trump administration has brushed off concerns. A spokesperson for the White House said the mix-up was “just a glitch.” They claim that no classified material was shared. However, they did not explain how a journalist was added to the chat or how long he had access to the messages.
This is not the first time government officials have been caught using unapproved apps. In past years, officials from both parties have faced criticism for using private emails or messaging platforms. But this case stands out because it involves live military plans and many top leaders.
Similar Incidents in the Past
In 2018, reports showed that White House staff under President Trump were using personal phones and apps like WhatsApp for official work. This caused concern in Congress, but no clear laws were passed to stop it.
Also, in 2021, a report from the Government Accountability Office warned that federal agencies were not doing enough to protect sensitive data on personal devices.
Security Risks Remain High
Experts warn that using apps like Signal—even though they are encrypted—still poses risks. If phones are not properly secured, hackers could still gain access. And since Signal deletes messages by default, key records may be lost forever.
Some fear that foreign governments could exploit such weaknesses. A cybersecurity expert told the New York Mirror, “It’s not enough that an app is secure. You have to make sure it’s authorized, tracked, and part of a system that follows rules.”
Will There Be Policy Changes?
The Pentagon review will look at whether new policies are needed. Some lawmakers are now calling for a full ban on using any personal or commercial messaging apps for military planning. Others want stricter training and better tools that are both secure and approved.
If violations are found, Hegseth and others could face discipline or even legal action. More importantly, the case could change how the military handles sensitive communications in the future.