Pete Hegseth simply can't resist using Signal.
To circumvent rules prohibiting the use of personal gadgets for external communications, the defense secretary opted to install an encrypted but unclassified message application onto a desk workstation situated within his office at the Pentagon.
Three sources told The Washington Post Hegseth essentially "replicated" the Signal app from his private device after discussing with his assistants ways to bypass the absence of cell phone coverage in much of the Pentagon. This was aimed at enabling faster coordination with the White House and other officials associated with President Trump.
It was reported that Hegseth had Signal installed on a secondary computer at his desk in the Pentagon, and he showed interest in using software that would enable him to send regular text messages from his location.
Other assistants who worked with Hegseth, including his recently departed Chief of Staff Joe Kasper, were equally interested in utilizing Signal on Pentagon computers, although The Post 'Sources were vague about the extent to which this practice spread throughout Hegseth’s team.'
Sean Parnell, Hegseth's spokesperson, stated that the defense secretary "has never utilized and does not presently utilize Signal on his official government computer."
Intense scrutiny fell upon the defense secretary for using Signal to discuss classified information. The Atlantic Jeffrey Goldberg, who serves as editor-in-chief, disclosed in a startling exposé that he inadvertently became part of an exclusive group conversation among prominent national security leaders, where they were debating plans for a potential military operation in Yemen.
Following the "Signalgate" scandal, the Senate Armed Services Committee asked the Defense Department inspector general to investigate Hegseth’s usage of the application. This month, the inspector general’s office decided to address the matter.
Earlier this week, The New York Times it was reported that Hegseth participated in a second Signal group conversation about the Yemen attack, which included his wife, brother, and personal attorney.
However, Hegseth stayed resilient amidst the uproar, informing Fox News that concerns over potential job loss did not trouble him.
I haven't blinked, and I won't blink, because this task is too substantial and critical. Nobody is sending messages about war strategies," he stated. "Regarding the Department of Defense—as I want to make crystal clear—we consider the confidentiality of information extremely seriously. Safeguarding it holds great importance for us.
President Donald Trump has also expressed confidence in his pick to lead the Pentagon despite the back-to-back hits that have plagued the agency.
Pete is performing exceptionally well," Trump stated to journalists on Monday. "Everyone seems pleased with his work." He then questioned, "Are we revisiting Signal once more? Didn’t we move past this topic two weeks back? This sounds like recycled material from the press. Perhaps look into some fresh stories instead.
Read more at The Daily Beast.