Smith Responds to Damning DOD IG Report on Secretary Hegseth's Incompetence
House Armed Services Committee
December 3, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DOD IG) report on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sharing sensitive military operations on the unsecured Signal application in advance of military action earlier this year.
"This report is a damning review of an incompetent secretary of defense who is profoundly incapable of the job and clearly has no respect for or comprehension of what is required to safeguard our service members.
"It confirms staggering violations of policy - namely that unsecured platforms were used by the secretary to boast about sensitive operational details that could have jeopardized both the mission and, more importantly, the lives of American service members tasked with carrying out Operation Rough Rider.
"It raises more questions about Hegseth's decision making. Chief among them he had the tools and ability at his fingertips to rapidly communicate this highly sensitive information over established, secure channels. The way he chose to communicate this information put service members at risk.
"Further, the lack of transparency that Hegseth displayed by refusing to meet with the IG and answer questions is highly concerning. Even after the release of this report, the Secretary refuses to take responsibility for his actions.
"The IG report confirms the concerns that we have raised since the news first broke of his inappropriate use of the Signal app. His poor judgment has been on display throughout this past year."
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