Updated on: April 25, 2025 / 8:22 PM EDT / CBS News
The Pentagon reportedly set up a system in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's office that allowed him to access messages on the encrypted app Signal while at work, according to sources familiar with the matter. The system is said to bypass standard Defense Department security protocols.
Sources claim that a computer monitor in Hegseth's office was set up to provide him remote access to the Signal app and text messages from his personal phone. Hegseth allegedly used this system to check and respond to messages while at his desk.
Concerns were raised after reports suggested Hegseth had been using an unsecured internet connection, known as a "dirty line," which bypasses security measures against potential vulnerabilities exploited by adversaries.
However, a Defense Department spokesperson has denied the existence of a "dirty line" and any current use of Signal in Hegseth's office. The spokesperson explained that a physical line connects the monitor in the office to Hegseth's phone, which is kept outside his office, allowing him to step out to check messages.
The office suite where this system is set up is classified as a sensitive compartmentalized information facility (SCIF), where cellphones are typically prohibited.
Sources have expressed concerns about the security risks posed by this work-around, as it grants Hegseth access to personal iPhone messages and Signal chat groups at his desk without his cellphone present in the office or connected to the secure network.
It was also reported that Hegseth shared sensitive information about U.S. airstrikes in Yemen in a private Signal group that he created, including individuals who did not have a clear need-to-know basis for such information.
Marine Col. Ricky Buria, an aide in Hegseth's office, reportedly played a role in setting up this system to address internet connectivity issues. The Defense Department has not commented on Buria's involvement.
Signal, known for its end-to-end encryption, allows users to connect their mobile devices to a desktop app through a unique QR code, providing seamless communication across devices.
The sources requested anonymity while speaking to CBS News due to lack of authorization to speak to the press.
James LaPorta contributed to this report.
Jennifer Jacobs is a senior White House reporter at CBS News.
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