Connecticut democratic lawmakers call for Hegseth resignation over Pentagon inspector general report

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - Connecticut lawmakers are calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s resignation following a Pentagon Inspector General report detailing his use of unsecured communications and other alleged security breaches.

Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., directly called for Hegseth’s resignation Wednesday, citing the inspector general’s findings and reports of unauthorized military operations.

“Secretary Hegseth needs to resign,” Larson said. “Presiding over an illegal second strike in the Caribbean Sea is the last straw.”

The Pentagon Inspector General’s report examined Hegseth’s use of unsecured communications during military operations. According to the report, Hegseth transmitted specific details of Operation Rough Rider from an unsecured device to a text chain that included individuals with no national security role, hours before the operation began.

Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, said the findings raise serious questions about Hegseth’s adherence to basic operational security.

“The chronology clearly shows that our servicemembers were vulnerable to risk of harm and disruption if the information was intercepted,” Courtney said. “These findings raise serious questions about the Secretary’s adherence to basic operational security which is a basic threshold requirement to his position.”

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he was “deeply disturbed, in fact shocked” by what he called the “Signalgate report” and indicated further investigation may be needed.

The House Armed Services Committee received a preview of the inspector general’s report and will conduct follow-up oversight, Courtney said.