Pentagon inspector general completes ‘Signalgate' investigation

William Jackson

Wed, December 3, 2025 at 4:22 PM UTC

2 min read

The Defense Department's inspector general has finished a review of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the Signal app during planning for U.S. strikes in Yemen and delivered the final report to him on Tuesday. A redacted, unclassified version has been sent to Congress and could be released publicly as early as this week, CBS News reported.

Lawmakers asked the inspector general to examine whether sensitive operational details moved from secure systems onto Signal, whether any classified information was shared, and whether classification and records-retention rules were followed.

What the Signal chats contained and who participated

The Atlantic first published the messages, exchanged in a group named "Houthi PC small group." The magazine's editor, Jeffrey Goldberg, had been inadvertently added to the group chat and wrote about it after the strikes in Yemen were completed.

The chat featured updates from then-National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Vice President JD Vance, as well as posts from Hegseth's account detailing the aircraft involved and the timing of the strikes.

The National Security Council said the messages published in The Atlantic appeared authentic, while the White House said they were not classified. NBC News reported that similar details sent to Hegseth via a secure government system by then-CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla later appeared in Signal chats with senior officials and, separately, in a family chat.

How officials characterize classification and compliance

Hegseth has said he shared no classified information on Signal. But CBS News reported this summer that the inspector general had obtained evidence that messages sent from Hegseth's account included details from a classified email.

A Pentagon spokesperson said the department stood by its prior statement that "no classified information was shared via Signal." The inspector general said it would review compliance with classification and records-retention requirements, CBS News reported.

Who pushed for oversight-and what they asked to see

The investigation began in March following a request from Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Jack Reed, D-R.I., the top members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

They asked the inspector general to determine if operational details were transferred to unclassified systems, what specific information was shared and what corrective steps were taken.

Separate controversy adds pressure on timing

The completion of the inspector general's investigation comes as Hegseth faces separate scrutiny over a Sept. 2 military operation in the Caribbean. Lawmakers are questioning a second strike on a drug-smuggling vessel, with some Democrats suggesting the killing of survivors could be a war crime.

While the administration confirmed the second strike occurred, it denied Hegseth gave the order. Hegseth has defended the operation as lawful, stating the command came from Adm. Frank Bradley, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command.

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Pentagon inspector general completes ‘Signalgate' investigation