New dimensions of the Signal Gate Scandal of the US defense secretary

Pete Hegseth, US defense minister, used the Signal Messaging app for the official Pentagon business far more comprehensively than before. According to sources, it was active in at least 12 separate signal chat groups.

In one case, Hegseth used the app to show the helpers to share details about ongoing military operation with foreign governments. Two sources confirmed that he used signal to coordinate foreign travel plans, media plans, meeting times and other sensitive information.

According to the Wall Street Journal, many of these groups were created by Hegseth himself in his Pentagon office or his personal cell phone.

Sources show that some of Hegseth's messages were shared by his military adjutant Ricky Boria into signal groups. In March, Boria even released details about an upcoming US attack on Yemeni Army positions in a group that included Hegseth's wife, brother and private anchor.

The report adds that Hegseth's widespread use of signal for the daily tasks and Boria's role in the spread of this information was not previously announced. The US Department of Defense and Boria rejected media inquiries for comments.

Steven Stebbins, General Inspector of the incumbent inspector of the Pentagon, announced last month that an examination of the use of signal heges Hegseth's signal was initiated. This was followed by a report by the Atlantic in which he revealed that Hegseth shared information about an attack on Yemen in a group with high -ranking government officials. It was now known that similar information was also passed on in a private group with family members.

Hegseth also announced his views on personnel matters, Pentagon budget plans and details of the government's national security discussions in other groups. According to the sources, news that the helpers, the details of military operations with allies, were among his most sensitive messages.

Instead of using the extensive communication network of the Pentagon, Hegseth preferred the signal to manage the daily operation of the Ministry of Defense. He concluded members of his security team, his office worker, his deputy and his public relations work.

The helpers had to leave their desks and deal with mobile signal cover in areas in the pentagon to access messages because the telephone reception in the building is bad.

While earlier administrations used unofficial messaging apps, experts warn that the use of apps such as signal for approval could expose confidential information to risks.

Mark Polymoropoulos, a former high-ranking US secret service officer, told Wall Street Journal: “The use of personal telephones and commercial apps creates unnecessary risks. The government takes into account that the government signals a non-safe platform, and that is a precise classification.”

According to sources, some news sent by Hegseth disappeared and were not officially recorded, a lawsuit that can violate laws to preserve government documents.

A 2023 Pentagon Directive limited the use of certain unofficial apps such as signal for official business and emphasizes that non-state messaging platforms should not be used to transfer sensitive information, even if they are not classified as confidential.

The guideline says: “Personnel of the Ministry of Defense must not use personal accounts, non-official emails or non-state messaging apps for official business, unless these platforms are authorized by the government or the official contractors.”

It remains unclear whether signal has been officially approved for the use of Pentagon officials since the directive was issued.

Aram Gavoor, deputy dean for academic matters at George Washington University Law School and Professor of National Security Law, said: “The internal memo of the Pentagon alone cannot definitely determine the legality of the use of Pete Hegseth's signal app by a personal device for the transfer of unclassified and non-confise defense department information.”