Article II: Reckless and unlawful mishandling of classified information

Section 1924 of title 18, United States Code, provides that Whoever, being an officer, employee, contractor, or consultant of the United States, and, by virtue of his office, employment, position, or contract, becomes possessed of documents or materials containing classified information of the United States, knowingly removes such documents or materials without authority and with the intent to retain such documents or materials at an unauthorized location shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both. Section 1924 of title 18, United States Code, further provides that In this section, the term classified information of the United States means information originated, owned, or possessed by the United States Government concerning the national defense or foreign relations of the United States that has been determined pursuant to law or Executive order to require protection against unauthorized disclosure in the interests of national security. In the exercise of his office of Secretary, Peter B. Hegseth has access to the most sensitive classified information, including plans and advanced knowledge of combat operations being undertaken by the Armed Forces. In early 2025, the Armed Forces conducted combat operations against Houthi forces in Yemen in retaliation for attacks on commercial vessels and United States naval vessels transiting nearby. From March 11, 2025, through March 15, 2025, numerous high-ranking officials conducted a group chat using the commercial messaging program Signal to discuss the planning and decision-making behind upcoming airstrikes in Yemen. Signal is not an authorized platform or location for the lawful discussion and retention of classified information. In addition to Secretary Hegseth, the Signal group chat included the Vice President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of National Intelligence, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Advisor, and the White House Chief of Staff, together with a variety of subordinates. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic and a journalist specializing in covering foreign affairs, was also added to the Signal group chat. Jeffrey Goldberg observed that highly sensitive classified information was being discussed, as well as decision-making at the highest level about the foreign and national security policy of the United States, all of which was sent unsolicited to his personal Signal account. On March 15, 2025, in messages to the Signal group chat, Secretary Hegseth detailed operational information regarding imminent airstrikes in Yemen, including target information, weapons systems to be employed, and attack sequencing. These messages include information on the launch times of F–18 aircraft, MQ–9 drones, and tomahawk missiles, the time when the F–18 aircraft would reach their targets, and the time when the bombs would land. These strikes were subsequently carried out as planned later that day. On March 24, 2025, Jeffrey Goldberg published an article in the Atlantic recounting this experience, entitled The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans. The Atlantic subsequently published the full transcripts of the Signal group chat, and the authenticity of those transcripts has been confirmed by the administration. Such reckless and unlawful handling of classified information would be, for any of Secretary Hegseth’s millions of civilian and military subordinates, a career-ending offense and likely result in criminal prosecution. By his actions, Secretary Hegseth recklessly endangered members of the Armed Forces engaged in combat operations, undermined good order and morale, and set an example of unprofessionalism and incompetence at the highest levels of the national command authority. In all of these things, Secretary Hegseth has committed the high crimes and misdemeanors of reckless and unlawful mishandling of classified information. Wherefore, Secretary Hegseth, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.