Pentagon Flags Risk from Hegseth’s Signal App Use
A recent report from the Department of Defense Inspector General has concluded that Fox News contributor and former Army officer Pete Hegseth used an unsecured commercial messaging application while embedded with U.S. forces in the Middle East, potentially compromising sensitive operations. The findings were first reported by Defense News in an article titled “IG finds Hegseth risked endangering Houthi mission with Signal use.”
According to the Inspector General’s investigation, Hegseth employed the encrypted messaging app Signal during his time aboard the USS Carney in December 2023. Although Signal is widely regarded for its robust end-to-end encryption, it is not approved by the Department of Defense for secure communications involving operational details. The investigation determined that Hegseth’s use of the app, while reporting on ongoing military efforts to counter Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, contravened established Pentagon protocols and could have placed service members and missions at risk.
The timeline of the incident coincided with a series of high-tension encounters between U.S. forces and Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have increasingly targeted maritime traffic in the region. The USS Carney, a Navy destroyer stationed in the Red Sea, has been at the forefront of regional defense operations, intercepting drones and missiles launched from Yemen. Military officials expressed concern that even seemingly routine communications conducted via unauthorized platforms could offer adversaries insights into U.S. capabilities and positioning.
Hegseth was traveling as part of a military embed arranged by Fox News, during which he conducted interviews and reported on naval operations. According to the IG report, he used Signal to communicate with media colleagues and share information during the embed. While there was no definitive evidence that his messages were intercepted or led to an immediate breach, the report emphasized the potential vulnerabilities created by the use of non-secure channels, particularly in warzones or during active military engagements.
The Inspector General’s office did not recommend criminal charges but underscored the importance of reinforcing communications discipline among media embeds and military public affairs personnel. The report also criticized the Navy’s oversight during Hegseth’s visit, citing a lack of clear guidance and insufficient monitoring of media activity on board.
This episode raises broader questions about the intersection of media access, operational security, and the evolving nature of war reporting in the digital age. While embedded journalism has long served to provide transparency and foster public understanding of military operations, it also comes with inherent risks—especially when modern communication tools blur the lines between secure and insecure channels.
Fox News and representatives for Hegseth have not issued public statements following the release of the report. The Department of Defense is reportedly reviewing its embed protocols and may consider updating its policies to better address the use of encrypted but unauthorized communication platforms during deployments.
As tensions persist in the Middle East and the strategic importance of secure communications intensifies, the Pentagon’s handling of this incident may set precedent for future interactions between the U.S. military and the media.
