Pentagon IG Review Probes Hegseth Signal Use Amid Witch Hunt Claims

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny from a Pentagon inspector general's review into his use of the Signal messaging app to share sensitive military information, including a controversial incident where a journalist was accidentally included in a group chat discussing imminent airstrikes in Yemen. Hegseth and his chief spokesman Sean Parnell have dismissed the investigation as a "political witch hunt" and a "sham, conducted in bad faith and with extreme bias," attributing the probe to "Biden administration holdovers." The bipartisan request for the investigation came from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker and Ranking Member Jack Reed, both emphasizing the importance of the IG's independent and impartial review. While the Pentagon IG, led by acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins, has not commented on the ongoing review, evidence reportedly indicates that messages shared by Hegseth originated from classified emails sent to senior Defense officials. The findings are expected to be released soon, with Hegseth already engaging in damage control amid speculation about his political future, which his spokesman has denied. The controversy highlights tensions over oversight of the Defense Department under President Donald Trump's administration and the role of the inspector general's office.