Hegseth Ordered an Insecure Internet Connection in His Pentagon Office

In order to use the commercial Signal app on his computer, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the Pentagon to set up an internet connection in his office that bypasses security protocols.

Such “dirty” connections are sometimes used by the Pentagon to monitor websites that would be blocked by its security systems, but they are at risk of hacking or surveillance.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told reporters that Hegseth’s “use of communications systems and channels is classified.”

“However, we can confirm that the Secretary has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer.”

This leaves open the possibility that Hegseth might use a personal computer on his “dirty” connection in order to chat in Signal, just as he uses his personal phone for Signal chats. His personal devices would not be as secure as his government-provided devices.

Under his leadership, news media have found out about at least 20 Signal chats so far that may have involved sensitive information, and at least two that appear to involve information that should have been classified.

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