Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny over his use of an encrypted messaging app to discuss sensitive military operations involving Yemen's Houthi militants.

According to AP News, acting Pentagon inspector general Steven Stebbins announced Thursday a comprehensive review of Hegseth's use of the Signal messaging app for conveying military strike plans, along with examining other defense officials' usage of the commercially available encrypted platform.

The investigation stems from an inadvertent revelation when Jeffrey Goldberg, a journalist from The Atlantic, was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat by national security adviser Mike Waltz.

This chat included high-ranking officials such as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who were discussing March 15 military operations against Iran-backed Houthis.

Military Communications Protocol Under Review

Acting inspector general Stebbins outlined the evaluation's primary focus in his notification letter to Hegseth.

The review aims to determine compliance with Department of Defense policies regarding the use of commercial messaging applications for official business. Investigation parameters extend to examining adherence to classification and records retention requirements.

The Pentagon has directed all inquiries to the inspector general's office, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. This development has raised concerns about the proper channels for sharing sensitive military information. Several current and former military officials have suggested that the level of detail shared by Hegseth would likely have been classified information.

President Trump has expressed frustration with media coverage of the situation, dismissing questions about the review. When pressed about the matter, Trump responded with visible irritation to reporters, characterizing the story as wasteful and unworthy of attention.

Congressional Oversight and Security Concerns

The review was initiated following a request from Senate Armed Services Committee leadership. Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and top Democrat Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island jointly called for the investigation. Their action reflects growing bipartisan concern over the use of commercial applications for sensitive military communications.

Democratic lawmakers have particularly emphasized their concerns during congressional hearings. They have questioned military officers about the appropriateness of using commercial apps like Signal for discussing military operations. The Signal app, while encrypted, is not designed to handle classified material and operates outside the Defense Department's secure communications network.

Steven Stebbins, the acting inspector general, stated:

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.

White House Response and Staff Changes

The Trump administration maintains that no classified information was shared through the Signal app. However, the revelation that Hegseth provided specific details about warplane launches and bomb drop timings has intensified scrutiny of the communication practices. These details were shared before the actual deployment of military personnel involved in the operations.

Recent developments have led to additional turmoil within the administration. Trump fired several members of Waltz's staff on Thursday, following recommendations from far-right activist Laura Loomer. The dismissals came after Loomer urged the president to remove staffers she deemed insufficiently loyal to his "Make America Great Again" agenda.

National security adviser Waltz faces mounting pressure but continues to receive support from President Trump. Despite calls for his removal, Trump has publicly stood by his adviser throughout the controversy.

Pentagon Leadership Addresses Security Protocols

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, Trump's nominee for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed questions about the communication methods used. While not directly commenting on whether more secure systems should have been utilized, Caine emphasized the importance of maintaining operational security.

Federal law requires Trump administration officials to archive their official communications. Questions remain about whether the Signal discussions were properly forwarded to official email channels for permanent federal record-keeping.

Investigation Status and Next Steps

The Pentagon's inspector general's office has launched a comprehensive review of the Signal app usage in military planning. The investigation will examine Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's communication practices during the planning of March 15 Houthi strikes in Yemen, focusing specifically on compliance with Department of Defense protocols and federal record-keeping requirements.

The review's findings could have significant implications for military communication protocols and the use of commercial messaging apps in government operations. As the investigation proceeds, Congress continues to monitor the situation while the Trump administration maintains its stance that no classified information was compromised.