House GOP Blocks Inquiry Into Hegseth's Signal Use

House Republicans have blocked Democratic efforts to force votes on investigating Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the encrypted Signal app to discuss sensitive military operations, a controversy dubbed 'Signalgate.' GOP leaders added language to a procedural rule that prevents Democrats from bringing privileged resolutions of inquiry to the floor until at least September 30, effectively shielding Hegseth and the Trump administration from immediate scrutiny. Republicans defended the move as necessary to prevent what they described as Democratic political stunts, while Democrats argued that it undermines accountability and transparency, especially given the national security concerns raised by Hegseth's communications. The decision marks a broader pattern of GOP leadership using House rules to protect the administration from potentially embarrassing votes in a narrowly divided chamber. Tensions over the issue are rising ahead of a contentious election cycle, with Democrats expressing frustration over the blocked investigations. The procedural maneuver also comes as part of a broader debate package that includes unrelated regulatory rollbacks.