A redacted and unclassified version of the Defense Department's review of the use of private messaging apps to discuss military operations will be released Thursday, according to multiple sources.
Why it matters: The internal review of the Trump administration's "Signalgate" controversy comes at a time when top military officials are under intense scrutiny over boat strikes off the coast of Venezuela.
- The full version of the report has been sent to the Senate Armed Services Committee and is available to members of the panel for immediate review in a secure room, sources told Axios.
- Trump officials in March used Signal to discuss sensitive plans regarding military strikes in Yemen. The group chat became public when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, was inadvertently added.
- The inspector general review of the incident was opened in April, following requests for an expedited review by top Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill.
The big picture: The review's release will add to the pressure Trump's top military officials are already facing this week over attacks on suspected drug trafficking boats from Venezuela.
- The inspector general's report could worsen that criticism, with Democratic members of Congress already renewing calls for Hegseth to resign.
- Top senators from both parties have pledged to investigate an alleged strike against the survivors of one of the boat attacks.
Zoom out: The Trump administration at the time shrugged off the "Signalgate" controversy, arguing that no classified information was shared in the group chat.
- NBC reported Tuesday that the inspector general probe was finished and had been given to Hegseth.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting throughout.
