Statement from Congressman Moulton Regarding Inspector General Report on Secretary Pete Hegseth

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) issued the following statement regarding the release of the Department of Defense's inspector general report regarding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth violating security protocols and endangering U.S. troops by sharing sensitive operational information on the unclassified messaging app, Signal.

"Secretary Hegseth claimed 'total exoneration' yesterday, but that is not what the Inspector General found. In fact, the Inspector General found that, 'The Secretary's actions created a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed U.S. mission objectives and potential harm to U.S. pilots.'

"The report is clear that Secretary Hegseth violated two DoD policies that govern the protection of sensitive information and the preservation of federal records. Those policies exist for one reason, to keep Americans safe. His refusal to take responsibility at any stage of this investigation shows a complete lack of accountability that should be unacceptable for anyone in uniform, let alone the Secretary of Defense.

"In his written statement to the IG, Secretary Hegseth claimed he used 'non-specific general details' that he believed were 'not classified or that [he] could safely declassify', but the IG found that what he sent closely matched the classified email, and that there is no written evidence that any declassification occurred.

"Any rank-and-file member of our military who behaved this carelessly would face severe consequences, and the standard for the Secretary of Defense should be even higher. Secretary Hegseth came into this job as the most unserious and unqualified Secretary of Defense in the history of our nation and has lived up to that reputation with flying colors since then. He should be fired."