**Pentagon Clears Hegseth in Signal App Controversy**
The Pentagon has officially cleared Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host, of any misconduct involving the encrypted messaging app Signal. The ruling comes after months of investigation into claims that Hegseth improperly accessed or influenced military communication through the app during a past advisory role.
A Pentagon spokesperson said on Tuesday that Hegseth was given “total exoneration” following a full internal review. Officials stated there was no evidence linking him to any wrongdoing or any breach of official communication protocols. They emphasized that the review found Hegseth had no direct involvement with Defense Department decisions connected to Signal-related operations.
However, some experts disagree with the Pentagon’s full clearance. Several legal and military analysts say the case still carries many unanswered questions. Some argue that even if no laws were broken, ethical concerns about Hegseth’s influence remain. Others point to gaps in how he interacted with officials and what his unofficial communications may have encouraged.
“This verdict doesn’t clear up everything,” said a former Pentagon legal advisor, speaking anonymously. “There are still serious questions about advisory roles and ethical boundaries.”
The origin of the case comes from concerns that Signal, known for strong encryption, may have been used inappropriately by members of the military. Critics claimed that decisions on using Signal were influenced by outside voices like Hegseth, who publicly praised the app.
The issue has fueled broader debates on the use of secure messaging tools in sensitive government settings. While apps like Signal protect user privacy, they also make internal oversight harder. Several former defense officials have warned that unrestricted use of such tools can create transparency risks.
Hegseth responded to the news on social media late Tuesday, thanking his supporters and saying he always acted with integrity. “I knew the truth would come out,” he wrote.
As the debate continues, lawmakers have begun reviewing new rules about who can access secure apps and how external advice is handled inside defense agencies.
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