Signalgate: Hegseth under fire, Pentagon watchdog drops bombshell, 'US troops' lives were at risk'

Key Concepts

• Signal Messaging App: An encrypted messaging application not authorized for classified information and not part of the Pentagon's secure communications network.
• Pentagon Policy Violation: Using personal devices for official business.
• Declassification Authority: The ability of certain officials to declassify material.
• Narco-Terrorists: Designated terrorist organizations involved in drug trafficking.
• Kinetic Approach: Lethal targeting and direct action against threats.
• Deterrence: Discouraging future actions through the threat of retaliation.
• Sensitive Site Exploitation (SSE): The process of collecting and analyzing data from a target location after a military operation.
• Laws of War: International rules governing the conduct of armed conflict.

Pentagon Watchdog Findings on Secretary of War Pete Hegsath

Use of Signal App and Sensitive Information

The Pentagon's inspector general found that Secretary of War Pete Hegsath put US personnel and their mission at risk by using the Signal messaging app to convey sensitive information about a military strike against Yemen's Houthi militants. This finding was reported by two individuals familiar with the investigation's results.

Declassification Authority and Policy Violations

While Hegsath possesses the authority to declassify material, the report did not conclude that he did so improperly. However, the report did find that Hegsath violated Pentagon policy by using his personal device for official business. Consequently, the report recommended enhanced training for all Pentagon officials on proper communication protocols.

Hegsath's Response and Lawmaker Pressure

Hegsath declined to be interviewed by the Pentagon's inspector general but provided a written statement. In his statement, he asserted his right to declassify information as he deemed fit and claimed to have only communicated details he believed would not endanger the mission. These initial findings have intensified pressure on Hegsath, a former Fox News Channel host, following calls from lawmakers for an independent inquiry into his use of the commercially available Signal app.

Circumstances of Signal App Discovery

Hegsath's use of Signal came to light when journalist Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic was inadvertently added to a Signal text chain. This chain included National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and others who were discussing military operations against Iran-backed Houthis on March 15th. Hegsath had also created a separate Signal chat with 13 individuals, including his wife and brother, where he shared similar details about the same strike.

Signal App Limitations

It is important to note that while Signal is encrypted, it is not authorized for carrying classified information and is not integrated into the Pentagon's secure communications network.

Investigations into Caribbean Strike and Hegsath's Statements

Lawmaker Investigations

Lawmakers have also initiated investigations into a news report alleging that a follow-up strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat in the Caribbean Sea in September resulted in the deaths of survivors after Hegsath issued a verbal order to "kill everybody."

Hegsath's Defense of Drug Interdiction Operations

Hegsath defended these operations, stating, "we've only just begun striking narco boats and putting narot terrorists uh at the bottom of the ocean because they've been poisoning the American people." He contrasted this approach with what he characterized as President Biden's "kid gloves" approach, which he believes allowed cartels to poison Americans. Hegsath emphasized that under President Trump's directive, the administration is "taking the gloves off" and "taking the fight to these designated terror organizations." He claimed that drugs coming in by sea are down 91%, attributing this to deterrence rather than a "rinse and repeat" arrest and release approach. Hegsath concluded by stating that the administration has the back of commanders making difficult decisions to defend the American people.

President's Statements on the Caribbean Strike

The President, when questioned about the strike, stated, "To me, it was an attack. It wasn't one strike, two strikes, three strikes." He indicated he was unaware of a second strike and was not involved in details concerning people. He acknowledged knowing a boat was taken out and praised the individual in charge as "extraordinary." The President stated, "I want those boats taken out. And if we have to, we'll attack on land also, just like we attack on sea." He reiterated that "very little" is coming in by sea, estimating over 90% has been stopped, and claimed these strikes are "saving hundreds of thousands of lives." He described the boats as having "five engines on the back of a boat going in weird directions and loaded up with lots of white containers" and asserted that "Peter's done an amazing job."

Hegsath's Clarification on the Caribbean Strike

Hegsath confirmed the President's statements, emphasizing the baseline of "20 million people invading our country over four years" bringing drugs and "intentional poisoning of the American people." He highlighted President Trump's designation of cartels as terrorist organizations and drew a parallel to how al-Qaeda and ISIS are treated, advocating for a "lethal kinetic approach." Hegsath detailed the "deliberative process" involving intelligence, legal review, and evidence-based methods to ensure each drug boat is tied to a designated terrorist organization. He stated he empowered commanders to make the call, taking responsibility for the first strike on September 2nd. He explained that he moved on to his next meeting after the initial strike and later learned that the commander, Admiral Mitch Bradley, had made the "correct decision to ultimately sink the boat and eliminate the threat." Hegsath asserted that the American people are safer because "narot terrorists know you can't bring drugs through the water."

Administration's Stance on the Second Strike

Regarding a reported second strike on September 2nd, the administration clarified that while Secretary Hegsath denied a "second strike" in his social media post, stating US operations were lawful and media reports were fabricated, the administration's position is that President Trump and Secretary Hegsath have made it clear that designated narco-terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting. The administration confirmed that Secretary Hegsath authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct kinetic strikes on September 2nd, and Admiral Bradley acted within his authority to destroy the boat and eliminate the threat. The administration reiterated that these strikes are justified because these groups are designated as foreign terrorist organizations and are threatening the United States by bringing illegal narcotics. They contrasted this administration's policy with the previous one, citing the amount of fentanyl trafficked and attributing the public's re-election of the President and support for the Secretary of War to these actions.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The transcript details two significant controversies surrounding Secretary of War Pete Hegsath: his use of the unapproved Signal app for conveying sensitive military information, which the Pentagon's watchdog found put personnel and missions at risk and violated Pentagon policy, and a reported second strike on a drug smuggling boat in the Caribbean. While Hegsath asserted his declassification authority and adherence to mission safety, the inspector general recommended better training. The administration, including President Trump and Hegsath, strongly defended the lethal targeting of designated narco-terrorist organizations, emphasizing the success in interdicting drug trafficking and protecting American lives. The administration confirmed that kinetic strikes were authorized and carried out on September 2nd, with commanders acting within their legal authority to eliminate threats posed by these groups.