WASHINGTON — A recent report from the Pentagon's inspector general has determined that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth jeopardized U.S. personnel and operations by using the Signal messaging app to share sensitive information regarding a military strike against Houthi militants in Yemen. This finding was disclosed by two individuals familiar with the report on Wednesday.

While Hegseth has the authority to declassify information, the report did not indicate that he acted improperly in this regard. The findings were presented to lawmakers, who reviewed the report in a classified setting at the Capitol. A partially redacted version of the report is expected to be made public later this week.

The investigation into Hegseth's use of Signal was prompted by concerns raised by lawmakers, particularly following reports of a subsequent military strike in September that allegedly resulted in the deaths of survivors after Hegseth ordered to “kill everybody.” Hegseth defended this action, attributing it to the “fog of war,” and stated he did not witness any survivors during the operation.

In at least two Signal chats, Hegseth disclosed specific timings for warplane launches and bomb drops before the missions were executed. His use of Signal became public when journalist Jeffrey Goldberg from The Atlantic was unintentionally added to a chat that included high-ranking officials discussing military operations against the Iran-backed Houthis.

Hegseth also created another Signal chat with 13 participants, including family members, where he shared similar sensitive details. Although Signal is an encrypted platform, it is not authorized for classified communications and is not part of the Defense Department's secure network. Hegseth has maintained that the information shared was unclassified.

Current and former military officials have expressed concerns, stating that sharing such detailed information on an unsecured platform could endanger lives. Lawmakers have criticized Hegseth's actions, suggesting that lower-ranking military personnel would face severe consequences for similar breaches of protocol.

The inspector general's investigation was initiated at the request of both the Republican chairman and the top Democrat of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Concerns have also been raised by veterans and military families regarding the strict security measures they must adhere to in protecting sensitive information.

The backdrop of these events includes the Houthi rebels' missile and drone attacks on commercial and military vessels, which began in late 2023. This escalation was framed by Houthi leadership as a response to Israel's actions against Hamas in Gaza. The U.S.-led military campaign against the Houthis in 2024 has been described as one of the most intense naval engagements since World War II.

Following the release of Hegseth's Signal chat, The Atlantic published the entire thread, revealing multiple details about the planned strike, including military terminology and operational timelines. Hegseth characterized the information shared as “informal, unclassified coordinations” intended for media purposes.

During a congressional hearing in June, Hegseth faced repeated questioning about whether he had shared classified information and whether he would accept accountability if the inspector general's findings indicated otherwise. He did not provide a direct answer, stating only that he serves “at the pleasure of the president.”