🔗 Share this article Defense Department Report Concludes Hegseth Put Troops in Danger with Messaging App Conversation. A highly anticipated Department of Defense review has concluded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated official protocols by sharing secret intelligence in a private Signal group, according to a source familiar with the report. Particulars of the Event The chat group in question contained details about a planned airstrike in Yemen targeting Houthi militants. This discussion came to light after a journalist for the Atlantic was included as a member. Other officials in the chat allegedly included JD Vance, CIA director John Ratcliffe, and former security advisor Mike Waltz. The investigation did not examine the conduct of Hegseth, as the other officials do not work at the Pentagon. Signal is a publicly available communication application that was not authorized for transmitting sensitive material. Serious Risk to Troops The internal investigation found that the intelligence circulated by Hegseth was classified and posed a risk to the safety of US troops if it had been intercepted by a foreign enemy force. However, the report acknowledged that Hegseth possessed the authority to downgrade the information he shared, though it was unclear whether he actually did so. Hegseth's Response The source indicated that Hegseth declined an interview by the investigators. Instead, he submitted a brief written statement. In his statement, Hegseth asserted he only disclosed information that would not have endangered personnel or compromised the operation. He added that he had the right to downgrade information and considered the inspector general to be partisan. Next Steps The finalized investigation has been provided to lawmakers. An publicly releasable copy is expected to be released in the coming days.