Rep. Sara Jacobs used a House Armed Services Committee markup meeting before the August recess to deliver a sharp rebuke of Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth, accusing him of mishandling classified military information in ways that could have endangered U.S. service members.
Jacobs, who represents San Diego — home to the largest military community in the country — introduced an amendment that would bar the Pentagon from installing or maintaining communications systems that don’t meet security standards, and would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from using insecure methods to discuss classified operational plans. She framed the measure as a basic safeguard, rooted in the duty to protect troops from avoidable risk.
Her remarks focused on an Associated Press report from April that Hegseth had used the encrypted messaging app Signal on his personal computer to discuss classified operations. The report said he did so using an internet connection that bypassed Pentagon security protocols, even within a secure facility. Jacobs called that behavior “cavalier and reckless,” arguing it demonstrated “blatant disregard” for the protocols every service member is expected to follow.
Several Democrats on the committee backed her amendment, with Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania noting that in her Air Force career, security training on classified material was “drilled” into her — and that violations like the ones Hegseth is accused of could have ended her career. Others argued the Secretary’s actions undermined his credibility when warning about leaks and breaches.
Republicans pushed back, framing the amendment as premature. Committee leaders noted that an Inspector General investigation is underway, and warned against legislating while a review is still in progress. Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia argued the change could interfere with that process, while also pointing to prior controversies under previous administrations.
Some members, including Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, dismissed those concerns, stressing that the policy on secure communications is already clear — and that the amendment simply enforces rules that Hegseth had already violated. “If he’s learned his lesson, then there’s no consequence to this amendment,” Moulton said, calling the objections “purely political.”
The contentious debate grew only more pointed as other lawmakers got in on the conversation. Most notably they’re concerned about the possible consequences of a similar breach occurring during an operation against a more formidable adversary than the one cited in the AP report.
For Jacobs, the issue is straightforward: the Pentagon’s top civilian must meet the same standards imposed on the rank-and-file. “It’s my job,” she said, “to look military families in the eye and tell them I’m doing everything I can to keep their loved ones safe.”
