The Pentagon is responding to reports that its internal watchdog detected details from a classified email in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's communications on Signal about a strike against Yemen.

Washington

The Pentagon is under scrutiny following reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared details from a classified email in a Signal chat group, which included a journalist by mistake. The incident, linked to operations against Houthi militants in Yemen, prompted an internal investigation by the Pentagon's inspector general. 

Despite evidence that information from a classified internal system was discussed in the chat, Pentagon officials insist that no classified material was shared over Signal. The investigation is also examining whether the use of unsecured channels could have endangered U.S. forces and is expected to provide recommendations on secure communication practices in the future.

Pentagon insists Hegseth didn't share classified info in Signal chat

All right, now to the latest growing investigation. Two senior American officials tell CBS News the Pentagon's internal watchdog has obtained evidence that encrypted messages sent from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Signal account included details from a classified email. The inspector general's office said it would not comment about ongoing oversight projects. I want to bring in CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie Daggett from the Pentagon this morning. Charlie, remind us about this information and how is the Pentagon reacting to the news? Hey, Vlad. So yeah, this goes back to March 15th and a bombing campaign against Houthi militants in Yemen. Just as fighter jets were taking off from the deck of an aircraft carrier, Secretary Hegseth began sharing detailed information like exact timings in a chat group on the Signal messaging app. It turned out a journalist from The Atlantic was inadvertently added to that group, which is how it came to light. Inevitably, it became known as Signalgate. The Pentagon's inspector general launched an inquiry, and we've now learned that the attack plans had initially—that initially had been shared over a classified email and over a classified internal system by U.S. CENTCOM commander—Central Command—Central Command Commander Eric Carrillo. Pentagon Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement, the department stands behind its previous statements. No classified information was shared via Signal. Nobody was texting war plans in the success of two recent operations he called—he mentioned Operation Rough Rider and Operation Midnight Hammer. That's proof that operational security and discipline are top-notch. So if this is true, could Hegseth be held accountable? You know, possibly. The controversy then, as now, is whether the defense secretary was authorized to share that information on an unsecured channel. And now the fact that it was clearly marked, secret or classified when General Carrillo sent that email will not bode well. It certainly contradicts Hegseth's and the Trump administration's argument that no classified information was shared in that signal group. Also central to this story is whether sharing that kind of information, I mean, literally, in real time, as pilots are on bombing missions, might have endangered those—the lives of those pilots. You know, the Houthis may not have the kind of sophistication to intercept communications like that, but it's certainly within the realm of possibility for adversaries like Iran or Russia to do so. So there will be a spotlight on both of those points. Was that classified information, and did it endanger U.S. forces? Are there any concerns, Charlie, that the secretary or others may leak more classified information, even if it's inadvertent? You know, Vlad, it's always a concern. I mean, there might be some information that's been shared that we aren't aware of yet. You know, the fact that there was a further revelation that the defense secretary shared that information on a separate signal chat with his wife, his brother and his personal attorney, that came out a few days after that, again, raising questions about sharing that information at all, let alone on unsecured channels. Critics call it a straight-up security breach. There has been a review of communications since. And a big part of that, you know, the review that you and I are referring to from the inspector general, it's not only going to take a look at culpability, but it will be there to advise which channels of communication should be used in the future and which are forbidden. But I have to tell you, you know, even before the SignalGate scandal broke, Pentagon rules on the classification of sensitive information are exceedingly rigid. All right, Charlie Daida for us at the Pentagon. Charlie, thank you very much.

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