Pentagon Watchdog Discovers: Officials Use Encrypted Apps Just Like Civilians
The Hill reports a Pentagon watchdog found Pete Hegseth, while in an unofficial advisory role for the Trump administration, used the encrypted app Signal. This discovery leads to a deep dive into the protocol of official communications. Yet, where is the equivalent scrutiny on how decisions regarding, say, billions in military aid to foreign nations are communicated? One might wonder if the
concern for secure communications protocols is truly about national security, or about controlling the narrative by ensuring everything is on the record—except for the discussions that genuinely matter. While Hegseth's Signal chats make headlines, the public is rarely privy to the encrypted or off-the-record discussions between US officials and foreign lobbyists that shape policy. For instance,
OpenSecrets reports AIPAC alone funneled over $14.5 million into political campaigns in 2022. The real transparency issue isn't a former Fox host's app choice, but rather the opaque channels through which powerful lobbies influence legislation, like the annual blank check for military spending abroad. How many Signal messages facilitate those deals?