Pentagon chief Hegseth used Signal on government computer: WashPo
3 Min Read
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under scrutiny for using the Signal app in a classified Pentagon space, allegedly sharing strike details on Yemen.
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US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth waits to take the stage to deliver remarks to students, faculty, and staff at the US Army War College on April 23, 2025, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (Getty Images via AFP)
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is at the center of a growing Signal app in government controversy, following media reports that he had the encrypted messaging app installed on his office computer within the Pentagon.
According to The Washington Post, citing three sources familiar with the situation, the app allowed Hegseth to communicate with individuals outside official government channels, raising concerns over potential breaches of security protocols.
The use of Signal in such a secure environment, where personal electronic devices are typically banned, has triggered scrutiny, especially after revelations regarding Hegseth’s private communications about military operations.
On Sunday, The New York Times reported that Hegseth allegedly shared details about planned US airstrikes on Yemen in a private Signal group chat, which reportedly included not only Pentagon colleagues but also his wife, brother, and lawyer. The incident, which took place last month, has fueled accusations of a classified information security breach.
The private chat, according to sources, allowed Hegseth to bypass mobile network issues within his office, coordinating directly with senior officials in President Donald Trump’s administration. The Washington Post noted that this decision stemmed from internal discussions about how to communicate swiftly in areas with poor connectivity.
Pentagon denial and official response
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell denied the report, claiming that Hegseth “has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer.”
However, The Washington Post indicated that several of Hegseth’s aides also reportedly expressed interest in using Signal on their work computers, though the extent of Pentagon Signal usage remains unclear.
Signal was approved for limited government use in 2023, but officials are prohibited from sharing classified information via the app, which automatically deletes messages—a practice that conflicts with record-keeping regulations.
The Hegseth communication scandal deepened when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed that he was accidentally added to a private Signal chat involving upcoming US military strikes against Yemeni territory. Goldberg said the chat included high-level officials such as Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance.
Goldberg presented screenshots showing Hegseth discussing aircraft types and strike targets on March 15, just hours before operations against Yemen commenced.
Read more: Republican Congressman supports possible removal of Hegseth
