Signal Report Deepens Hegseth Scrutiny

Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth exposed sensitive information when he sent details of a pending military strike from his personal phone, according to a Pentagon watchdog investigation into the “Signalgate” saga that gripped the White House earlier this year.

The Pentagon inspector general determined that Hegseth had the authority to declassify the information he’d sent — which was originally labeled “secret” — but that his use of a personal cell phone risked compromising sensitive information about the upcoming attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen, it said in a report released Thursday.

“If this information had fallen into the hands of US adversaries, Houthi forces might have been able to counter U.S. forces or reposition personnel and assets to avoid planned US strikes,” the report said. Hegseth sent the information two to four hours before the operation took place, it said.

Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe speaks with:

• Bloomberg Pentagon Reporter Tony Capaccio.
• Arizona State University's McCain Institute Executive Director Evelyn Farkas.
• Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Arc Initiatives Partner Jonae Wartel.
• Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman of Indiana.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.