Pentagon Probes Hegseth Allies Over Signal Leak Scandal
Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense participates in a bilateral exchange at the Pentagon on March 6, 2025. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Secretary of Defense. Public domain.
The Pentagon is reeling as investigations into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's closest aides allegedly reveal a troubling breach of protocol involving the use of the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss classified military operations. The probes, led by the Defense Department Inspector General and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, have reportedly zeroed in on two senior figures in Hegseth's inner circle — Ricky Buria, a former military aide turned senior civilian official, and Tim Parlatore, Hegseth's personal attorney and top adviser. The allegations raise serious questions about security lapses, unauthorized leaks, and potential destruction of government records, casting a shadow over the Pentagon's leadership at a critical time.
A Secret Chat That Should Never Have Happened
The controversy centers on Hegseth's use of Signal, a commercial messaging app not approved for government use when handling classified information. According to sources familiar with the investigations, Hegseth allegedly used Signal in March 2025 to discuss sensitive military plans targeting Houthi forces in Yemen. The messages reportedly included details of active attack plans, a clear violation of Defense Department standards for classified communications, as reported by POLITICO.
The Inspector General's office launched its inquiry in early April after The Atlantic published a report revealing that Hegseth had shared strike information in a Signal group chat that mistakenly included a journalist by the name of Jeffrey Goldberg. Investigators have since been probing whether Buria helped Hegseth set up an unsecured internet connection that bypassed Pentagon security protocols, enabling access to Signal from within the department.
Allies Under the Microscope
Ricky Buria, once Hegseth's military aide and now a senior civilian official, has become a focal point of suspicion. The Air Force OSI is investigating whether Buria, who had access to Hegseth's devices and attended sensitive meetings, could have been a source of leaks that have rocked the Pentagon. The probe also questions whether Parlatore, Hegseth's personal lawyer and adviser, attended meetings beyond his security clearance level and what role he may have played in the leak investigations.
The stakes are high. Witnesses have reportedly been asked if they were ever instructed to delete Signal messages from their phones, a move that could violate federal records laws such as the Presidential Records Act and the Federal Records Act. Such actions carry potential civil and criminal penalties, including fines and jail time. Investigators have specifically inquired whether Buria or Parlatore made such deletion requests, according to POLITICO.
A Leadership Crisis in the Pentagon
The optics of the Pentagon's top defense official and his closest aides allegedly operating outside established security protocols are deeply troubling. The investigations come amid a period of turmoil for Hegseth, who has faced criticism for abrupt policy decisions, including a sudden freeze on military aid to Ukraine and a pause in weapons shipments that caught U.S. allies off guard.
Hegseth's leadership is under intense scrutiny as the Pentagon deals with the fallout from these leaks and ongoing probes. Several senior aides were pushed out in April amid accusations of leaking information, leaving the Defense Secretary without a chief of staff or top policy adviser for months. His attempt to appoint Buria as chief of staff was reportedly blocked by the White House due to Buria's political views and past criticisms of President Donald Trump and JD Vance.
Internal Discord and Fallout
The turmoil extends beyond the Signal scandal. A recent report detailed a heated confrontation within the Pentagon's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where Hegseth reportedly lashed out at senior officials after a dispute led to the Pentagon Police being summoned according to The Independent. The incident involved Yinon Weiss, Elon Musk's pick to lead DOGE, and Justin Fulcher, another senior adviser. The spat highlighted tensions between Pentagon officials and those tasked with dismantling federal departments, underscoring the chaotic environment surrounding Hegseth's tenure.
Despite the chaos, the Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended Hegseth's record, praising his efforts to reorient the Department of Defense and highlighting achievements such as increased military recruiting and NATO allies' commitment to defense spending. Parnell credited the "complete unity and discipline" of Hegseth's team and the leadership of President Trump for these successes, as reported by The Daily Beast.
What This Means for National Security
The allegations against Hegseth and his aides strike at the heart of national security. The use of an unapproved messaging app to discuss classified operations not only risks exposing sensitive information but also undermines trust in the Pentagon's ability to safeguard America's military secrets. The potential destruction of records and unauthorized attendance at classified meetings further erodes confidence in the department's internal controls.
For you, the American public, these revelations raise serious concerns about how the nation's defense is managed behind closed doors. When the top defense official's own team is embroiled in questions of leaks and security breaches, it fuels suspicion and skepticism about the integrity of military leadership.
The Investigation Continues
Both the Inspector General and the Air Force OSI investigations are ongoing, with no conclusions yet reached. Buria and Parlatore have declined to comment on the probes, and the Pentagon has remained tight-lipped, citing longstanding policies against discussing active investigations. The outcome of these inquiries will be critical in determining the future of Hegseth's leadership and the Pentagon's internal security culture.
As the Pentagon navigates this crisis, the spotlight remains firmly on Hegseth and his inner circle. The stakes could not be higher, with national security and public trust hanging in the balance.
You can expect more developments as the investigations unfold, but for now, the Pentagon's turmoil serves as a stark reminder that even the highest levels of government are not immune to scandal and controversy.
References: Pentagon probes examine key Hegseth allies | Investigation Into Pete Hegseth's War Chat Scandal Zeroes In On His Closest Aides | Hegseth raged at DOGE official who summoned police to the Pentagon after altercation, report says
