“(T)he Secretary’s actions created a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed U.S. mission objectives and potential harm to U.S. pilots.” As a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in charge of Security and Information Operations, I can attest to the fact that in our nation’s history, never has a more damning statement been written about the conduct of an American Secretary of Defense (SECDEF).
Pete Hegseth’s disregard for operational security protocols, as described in the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General’s (IG) report on his use of Signal to convey real-time operational information, demonstrates a serious lack of judgment. Even more concerning, however, is his cavalier attitude and dismissive comments conveyed in his written statement to the IG.
The IG report makes clear that the operational information conveyed to Hegseth was appropriately classified SECRET by the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM). Common sense dictates that real-time information which indicates the specific timing and types of U.S. warplanes to be used in an attack, especially while they are en route, requires the protection of the security classification system.
The IG report further makes clear that, as the most senior official in the DoD, the SECDEF has the authority to declassify any information classified by a DoD original classification authority, such as USCENTCOM, which Hegseth implies that he did. However, common sense once again dictates that if an authorized senior official declassifies information, at the very least that senior official should notify the subordinate activity that the information in question no longer enjoys the protection of the security classification system and all that entails. As documented by the IG, USCENTCOM received no such notification.
An integral part of the operational plans developed by USCENTCOM was the belief that the Houthis forces in Yemen knew neither the precise timing nor assets to be used in the attack. Unbeknownst to USCENTCOM, the system intended to safeguard that information failed 2 hours prior to the attack. The potential consequences of such a failure are no different than if, unbeknownst to the pilots, their aircraft were launched with faulty electronic warfare suites or inoperable missiles, essential elements to their self-defense. If that were ever to occur, there is no doubt that all responsible, including the lowest-ranking ground crew member, would be held to the highest degree of accountability.
Even after the scandalous actions outlined above, Hegseth had the opportunity to lead by example by owning up to his failures. Instead, as set forth in his written statement, he dissembled, obfuscated, engaged in “whataboutism” and, of course, attacked the media. The members of our nation’s armed forces who repeatedly put themselves in harm’s way, deserve leadership that exemplifies integrity and accountability, two traits that Hegseth clearly lacks. Furthermore, for Hegseth to now imply, as he did on December 6, that the need to protect classified “sources and methods” may preclude the full release of videos of the U.S. military’s Sept. 2 attack on a boat in the Caribbean, after President Trump said he would, reeks not only of hypocrisy but also of a cover-up.
The ability to classify and thus restrict the dissemination of the information is a critical national security tool. In a democracy, that tool must be employed with precision. Abuse of that tool, either recklessly disclosing sensitive information or concealing information essential to an informed public, weakens our military and undermines Americans’ confidence in the actions of their government, especially with respect to government secrecy and the use of military force.
J. William Leonard is the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Security & Information Operations), Former Director, Information Security Oversight Office and Former Chief Operating Officer, National Endowment for Democracy. He is a member of The Steady State.
Founded in 2016, The Steady State is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization of more than 360 former senior national security professionals. Our membership includes former officials from the CIA, FBI, Department of State, Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. Drawing on deep expertise across national security disciplines including intelligence, diplomacy, military affairs and law, we advocate for constitutional democracy, the rule of law and the preservation of America’s national security institutions.
Hegseth’s responsibility for acts of piracy and murder in the Caribbean (for, pending any kind of remotely solid legal justification for the Administration’s actions, that is what they were) has overshadowed his culpability in Signalgate. Yet this episode is not trivial. Were he still in uniform, he would be court-martialed. Any civilian Federal employee who had done anything half as serious would face prosecution and, quite possibly, significant jail time. On January 27, 2025, shortly after he was confirmed, the “New York Times” published the following letter: “To the Editor: To those Senate Republicans who voted to confirm Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense (and Vice President JD Vance, who broke a 50-50 tie): Unfortunately, you are far from the first members of the U.S. Senate to disgrace themselves through cowardice. But you have done so in historic terms. By confirming such a wildly unfit nominee and ignorant hatchet man as Mr. Hegseth, you, who trumpet belief in America’s greatness, have actually just severely weakened the United States and greatly endangered your constituents. Very truly yours, Tom Wolfson.” Clearly, I was too mild.
agree. anyone else would have been at least fired, if not prosecuted.