An inspector general report sent to Congress on Tuesday night detailed how Fox News host and former Army officer Pete Hegseth allegedly endangered U.S. forces by sharing sensitive operational information in a private Signal chat during a recent military deployment.
According to the report, Hegseth received preliminary details of planned troop movements while embedded with a unit overseas and repeated them in a group thread that included individuals without clearance. Investigators wrote that the disclosure risked compromising the timing and location of an upcoming mission and forced commanders to alter parts of the operation on short notice. The report stated that officials within the Department of Defense, including personnel from U.S. Central Command and the office of the Defense Intelligence Agency, raised alarms after learning that the information had circulated beyond authorized channels.
Congressional staffers briefed on the findings said the incident is being reviewed for potential violations of operational security protocols and for whether preferential access was improperly granted to a media figure. Lawmakers from both parties signaled concern that the breach appeared to be avoidable and came at a time when U.S. forces face heightened risks across the region. The inspector general’s office emphasized that no troops were ultimately harmed but noted that the lapse eroded confidence in the safeguards meant to protect active-duty personnel during complex missions.