WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement responding to the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General report on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's use of Signal to share highly sensitive operational information:

“The Inspector General's findings confirm that Secretary Hegseth violated military regulations and continues to show reckless disregard for the safety of American servicemembers.

“The report makes clear that Secretary Hegseth violated Department of Defense policies and shared information that was classified at the time it was sent to him. These were precise strike timings and locations that, had they fallen into enemy hands, could have enabled the Houthis to target American pilots. Contrary to the Administration’s claims, this report is the opposite of ‘total exoneration’ for the Secretary. The IG concluded this information could have jeopardized the mission and endangered U.S. personnel.

“For months, Secretary Hegseth has attempted to mislead Congress and the American people, claiming repeatedly that no classified information was involved. The Inspector General has now definitively cast doubt on those false assurances.

“While the report notes that Secretary Hegseth has declassification authority, it fails to explain why he believed it appropriate or necessary to declassify and share sensitive battlefield information on an unsecured commercial platform with unauthorized recipients, including family members and his personal attorney. It is also clear that he did not follow established procedures for declassification that apply to every other classification official throughout the Department.

“The IG's findings reinforce a troubling pattern: there appear to be two standards in Mr. Hegseth's Pentagon: one for himself, and one for everyone else. If any other military servicemember or Defense Department employee engaged in similar conduct, they would face severe consequences, including potential prosecution.

“I want to thank Acting Inspector General Stebbins and his team for their thorough and professional work on this investigation. Chairman Wicker and I requested an independent review that would provide the American people with a complete accounting of the facts, and the Inspector General provided it.

“This report validates the serious concerns I hold about Secretary Hegseth's judgment, competence, and fitness to lead our nation's military. I urge Secretary Hegseth to explain himself to Congress, the public, and the servicemembers he leads. The men and women of our armed forces deserve leadership they can trust with their lives.”