Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office is lashing out at the Pentagon’s internal investigation into his role in the “Signalgate” scandal, branding the probe a “political witch hunt” even before its findings are released.
In a sharply worded statement Tuesday, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell accused “Biden administration holdovers” of leaking details of the nonpartisan inspector general’s investigation to the press. He also confirmed for the first time that Hegseth had submitted a statement to investigators, in which he called the probe “a sham, conducted in bad faith and with extreme bias.”
The rhetoric echoed language often used by President Trump, appearing to undermine the legitimacy of the inspector general’s review before it becomes public — which could happen within weeks.
The investigation, launched at the bipartisan request of Senate Armed Services Committee leaders Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), centers on whether Hegseth and his aides violated Department of Defense policy by using unsecured messaging apps like Signal for official business.
The issue erupted into public view in March, when a journalist from The Atlantic was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat where Hegseth and other senior officials were allegedly discussing plans for a U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen. Hegseth’s Signal account is under particular scrutiny for sharing sensitive, advance information about the strikes.
A recent Washington Post report revealed the inspector general’s office has evidence that Hegseth’s messages may have stemmed from a classified email marked “SECRET/NOFORN” sent by Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command. The classification level suggests that the leak could pose serious risks to U.S. national security.
Parnell’s statement to reporters came on the heels of a New York Times article that noted Trump’s growing interest in personally vetting senior military appointments — a move viewed as bypassing traditional review processes.
According to officials familiar with the case, Hegseth’s Signal communications weren’t confined to official circles. He allegedly shared sensitive information in chats that included his wife, brother, and personal attorney.
Despite prior pledges to safeguard oversight efforts, Hegseth’s combative posture may test whether he honors commitments made during his confirmation. In 2024, he promised Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) he would protect the inspector general’s independence.
Sen. Jack Reed, the Armed Services Committee’s top Democrat, defended the IG’s office in a statement, saying:
“The civilian leadership of the Department of Defense is not above the law. To suggest the nonpartisan Inspector General is acting in bad faith is simply wrong. Taxpayers and our military deserve transparency.”
The watchdog’s office, currently led by acting IG Steven A. Stebbins following President Trump’s dismissal of former IG Robert Storch, has declined comment while the investigation remains ongoing. Stebbins, a former Army officer like Hegseth, joined the IG’s office in 2015.
Meanwhile, speculation is growing around Hegseth’s future. Sources say he has discussed potential runs for political office in Tennessee, where he now lives. However, a bid for governor would be legally complicated — the state requires seven years of residency, a threshold Hegseth has yet to meet. That detail was first reported Tuesday by NBC News.
