The Pentagon’s independent inspector general has launched a formal investigation into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s role in what is now being dubbed “SignalGate”—a scandal involving the use of the encrypted messaging app Signal to plan a U.S. military operation in Yemen.

The investigation follows explosive revelations that top Trump administration officials used a private Signal group chat to coordinate a March 15 airstrike targeting Houthi militants. According to multiple reports, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz mistakenly added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to the chat, exposing a stream of operational details, including timelines, munitions, and target coordinates. Participants reportedly included Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and DNI Tulsi Gabbard.

Critics argue that the messages shared constituted classified material and that the use of a commercial app violated federal record-keeping and security standards. “This was one of the most egregious lapses in operational security I’ve ever seen,” said Senator Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee.

The Defense Department confirmed that Acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins is now conducting a review to determine whether any laws were broken or policies breached. The probe will focus on compliance with classification regulations, the use of unauthorized communications platforms, and the safeguarding of sensitive operational information.

Hegseth has denied wrongdoing, insisting the communications were lawful and that no classified intel was transmitted. However, internal sources say the level of detail—including real-time drone deployment data and strategic targeting information—suggests otherwise. Intelligence experts have raised alarms about the potential endangerment of personnel and mission integrity.

The controversy has already rattled the Pentagon and Capitol Hill, with bipartisan calls for accountability. While President Trump has defended his officials and dismissed the leak as overblown, critics argue the incident reflects a broader culture of recklessness within the administration.

As the investigation unfolds, legal analysts say the findings could trigger administrative penalties, resignations, or even criminal referrals—though prosecutions of senior officials are rare. Regardless of the outcome, the SignalGate scandal underscores the fragility of national security protocols under the current regime, and the urgent need for transparency and discipline at the highest levels of government.