Yemen Media: Hegseth could have endangered US soldiers
According to media reports, the Pentagon's oversight committee sees significant risks in US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's handling of sensitive military data. According to CNN and ABC News, an investigative report concludes that Hegseth shared highly sensitive mission details via the Signal app in March during preparations for an attack on the Houthi militia in Yemen, potentially putting US soldiers at risk.
03.12.2025, 21:27
SDA
The report is under seal and will reportedly be published in redacted form on Thursday. The broadcasters cite people who are familiar with the contents of the unredacted report.
Signal affair put Trump's government in need of explanation
At the end of March, the US magazine "The Atlantic" made the contents of a chat public after its editor-in-chief was - presumably inadvertently - invited to the Signal group by then National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. The journalist was able to read the sensitive information live in the commercially operated app and later made the security breach public. Waltz was subsequently dismissed as National Security Advisor and moved to New York as US Ambassador to the United Nations.
The members of the group chat were the top US national security leaders: in addition to Hegseth, they included US Vice President JD Vance, Waltz, the head of the US foreign intelligence service CIA, John Ratcliffe, and the intelligence coordinator Tulsi Gabbard.
The chat was about a US military operation against the Houthi militia in Yemen in mid-March. Hegseth gave detailed information about weapons and attack times - while a journalist was able to read everything. The media later reported that he had also shared the military plans with his wife and other people.
Trump defended his minister
Hegseth argued at the time that he had not disclosed any critical information. US President Donald Trump defended his minister, who is responsible for the world's most powerful armed forces, a budget of around 800 billion dollars as well as key armaments projects and security policy decisions.
Hegseth was one of the most controversial members of Trump's cabinet from the outset. He became known in the USA as a presenter on Fox News. He had almost no political experience. Following his nomination for the post, reports emerged of alleged racist and sexist comments, alcohol abuse and sexual assault. He denies the allegations.
Hegseth already under fire
Hegseth is currently also under pressure due to media reports on the actions of the US military in the Caribbean: according to these reports, on September 2, the armed forces first attacked a boat transporting drugs with one blow and then killed two surviving men with a second blow.
According to experts, the second attack may have violated international law - the men had been clinging to the smouldering wreckage and posed no immediate threat, according to the Washington Post. Hegseth denies direct responsibility.
