Sens. Roger Wicker and Jack Reed ask Pentagon watchdog to probe leaked Signal chat

The Senate’s Armed Services Committee is taking action after reports surfaced that classified defense information may have been shared on the encrypted messaging platform Signal. Chairman Roger Wicker and ranking member Jack Reed have requested the Pentagon’s inspector general, Steven Stebbins, to investigate the matter.

According to the letter sent by Wicker and Reed, the Signal chat in question allegedly contained sensitive military discussions related to operations in Yemen. The messages, which were published by The Atlantic, revealed details about a planned strike on the Houthis in Yemen, including the successful killing of a target when a building collapsed.

Although White House officials have claimed that the information shared in the chat was not classified, Wicker and Reed are concerned about the potential use of unclassified networks to discuss classified and sensitive information. They have called for an expedited investigation into the matter.

The messages shared on Signal by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and national security advisor Mike Waltz included details about the use of F-18s, Navy fighter aircraft, MQ-9 drones, and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the strike on the Houthis. Hegseth informed the chat of the timing of the attack and the deployment of various military assets.

After the mission was deemed successful, Waltz shared that the target, identified as the top missile guy for the Houthis, had been positively identified and was in a collapsed building. The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, who was inadvertently added to the chat, initially refrained from publishing sensitive details about the strike. However, after the White House denied that the information was classified, he sought permission to disclose the contents.

While government officials often use Signal for communication, even for sensitive information, concerns have been raised about the security of such platforms. Some Republicans, including Rep. Nick LaLota, have criticized the handling of the situation, calling it “totally sloppy” and suggesting that the shared information was classified or highly sensitive.

The Senate’s letter to the Pentagon’s inspector general seeks an investigation into the communication on Signal, including what information was shared and any remedial actions taken. It also requests an assessment of whether proper policies were followed regarding the sharing of sensitive and classified information on non-government networks.

The Pentagon’s inspector general’s office has confirmed receipt of the letter and is reviewing it. Wicker and Reed have indicated that they may hold a bipartisan hearing on the Signal chat, but the involvement of multiple agencies and the political nature of the issue may necessitate an independent investigation.

Former State Department inspector general Diana Shaw emphasized the value of independent watchdogs in such situations, noting that they provide objective and nonpartisan fact-finding. She cautioned that the probe may take time due to the complexity of the interagency involvement in the chat.

As the investigation unfolds, the Senate’s Armed Services Committee remains committed to upholding the security and integrity of classified information within the government.