United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is reported to have extensively used the encrypted messaging application Signal to conduct official Pentagon business, including the coordination of foreign military communications and the management of sensitive but non-classified information, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.
The revelations indicate that Hegseth maintained at least a dozen group chats on Signal in which he discussed a wide range of defence-related topics. These included foreign travel arrangements, media engagements, and operational planning. Notably, in at least one case, Hegset instructed aides via Signal to inform foreign governments of an impending US military operation.
This practice, according to individuals familiar with internal proceedings, bypassed the Department of Defence’s standard and secured communication channels. Signal, while encrypted, is a non-governmental platform typically not used for official military communications, particularly when alternative systems with higher levels of security are available.
Among those with access to these Signal chats were members of Hegseth’s personal security team, staff from his private office, individuals from the deputy secretary’s office, and communications personnel. Messages were sent both from unsecured lines within the Pentagon and from Hegset’s personal mobile phone.
Of particular concern is the role played by Colonel Ricky Buria, a Marine Corps officer serving as Hegseth’s military aide. According to WSJ sources, Buria was granted access to Hegset’s personal mobile device and used it to send communications on the Secretary’s behalf. In March, Buria reportedly posted details about an upcoming US military strike on Houthi targets in Yemen to a Signal chat group. That group included Hegseth’s wife, his brother, and his private attorney, raising questions about the compartmentalisation of operational information and the potential breach of protocol.
While none of the information shared on Signal was classified, it was characterised by sources as “sensitive” and not intended for broad dissemination. The Defence Department maintains a vast and sophisticated communications infrastructure, including secure lines and networks specifically designed to handle operational, diplomatic, and internal communications. The apparent decision by Hegset to rely on Signal for routine and sensitive matters suggests a significant departure from standard operating procedures.
The use of Signal reportedly posed practical challenges for Pentagon staff. Due to limited and often unreliable mobile coverage inside the Pentagon building, personnel were sometimes required to leave their offices in order to access Signal messages sent by the Secretary or his proxies.
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