Sources & Methods Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is in hot water – again
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Dec 4, 2025 
Tom Bowman, NPR's Pentagon correspondent, and Quil Lawrence, national security correspondent, dive into the controversies surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They discuss how Hegseth's use of Signal jeopardized U.S. operations by sharing classified strike plans. The hosts analyze the implications of his actions during recent strikes in Yemen and Venezuela, including legal concerns and command accountability. Insights into the Pentagon's oversight challenges and the potential fallout from these incidents add depth to the conversation.
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Signal Messages Could Endanger Troops
- The Pentagon IG concluded Hegseth's Signal messages risked U.S. personnel and mission objectives by exposing operational details.
- Non‑classified apps like Signal are unsafe for battle plans and can enable adversary countermeasures.
Authority Doesn't Replace Declassification Process
- Hegseth asserted he could declassify information as the classifying authority, but the IG noted declassification requires a written process.
- Informal verbal declassification on unsecured channels does not meet DOD procedures.
Real-Time Strike Details Were Shared
- The report says Hegseth sent timing and quantity of manned aircraft strikes two to four hours before execution over Signal.
- If adversaries had obtained that, pilots and missions could have been directly endangered.