Pentagon Watchdog Uncovers Breach of Protocol by Hegseth

An investigation led by the Pentagon's internal watchdog has concluded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth potentially endangered American military personnel. This conclusion stems from his dissemination of sensitive operational details about U.S. engagements in Yemen via a private Signal chat earlier this year, as disclosed by a knowledgeable U.S. official and another source familiar with the investigation.

These sources, speaking to CBS News under conditions of anonymity due to the classified nature of the findings, revealed that the ex-Fox News host, now defense secretary, breached Defense Department protocols. He allegedly used a personal phone to share sensitive military data with top officials from the Trump administration and Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic.

On Tuesday, a version of the watchdog's confidential report was delivered to Congress, with a complete, unedited release anticipated on Thursday. The findings align with CBS News' earlier coverage from July, identifying that critical information shared by Hegseth in the Signal group was rooted in a confidential email marked as 'SECRET//NOFORN.' This email originated from Army General Michael 'Erik' Kurilla, then leading the U.S. Central Command, which oversees military strategy in the Middle East.

The classification 'SECRET' indicates the information was sensitive, with unauthorized disclosure capable of significantly compromising national security and posing threats to military personnel, according to governmental standards.

The 'NOFORN' designation restricts dissemination strictly to U.S. entities and individuals, barring even allied foreign nationals from access.

Sources privy to the investigation indicated that should an adversary have accessed this information, U.S. forces and operations might have been put in jeopardy.

The report stops short of clarifying whether Hegseth authorized a declassification of the intelligence before sharing it within the Signal group that unwittingly included Jeffrey Goldberg, who had previously reported on the matter in March.