The Atlantic magazine editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, made headlines earlier this year by revealing that he had been accidentally added to a White House chat group on the text messaging app Signal.

While this led to an inspector general's investigation, some insiders believe that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will be cleared of any wrongdoing. 

Source says Hegseth has authority to disclose material

That's according to the Daily Mail, which recently cited legal sources which it described as being "familiar" with the ongoing review.

They argued that since Hegseth is the classifying authority for matters related to the Department of War, he has the authority to disclose classified information "even if it's not a good idea."

"The only caveat to that would be if he revealed something by the CIA. But it is clear that did not happen here – it was all operational DOD plans, not CIA," one figure explained.

Mike Waltz on the Signal chat leak:

“I just talked to @elonmusk... we’ve got the best technical minds looking at how this happened. I don’t know this guy—he’s the bottom scum of journalists.” pic.twitter.com/1TqToWQOZZ

— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) March 25, 2025

For his part, then-National Security Advisor Michael Waltz accepted blame for adding Goldberg to the chat, telling Fox News host Laura Ingraham, "I take full responsibility. I built the group."

Hegseth ally points to use of Signal app during the prior administration

The Daily Mail also noted how several sources said to be close with Hegseth, defending the Secretary of War's conduct, and pointing to how Biden administration officials also relied on Signal.

This included using the encrypted messaging service to discuss key operations, such as America's withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

"The IG may find fault with the federal records act of using these private apps and not keeping a record of it – which are process issues," one source stated.

"The use of Signal has changed significantly – the entire federal government has been running on Signal to avoid Chinese actors, not to avoid [Freedom of Information Act requests] or anything like that," the individual added.

Former Biden official rejects comparison with Hegseth

However, another unnamed figure who previously worked in the Biden administration said that Hegseth's use of Signal was not a comparable example.

"One, a reporter was added into a discussion with classified information, and I doubt Jeffrey Goldberg has a security clearance," the source asserted.

"Two, they are using a platform that was not designed for classified information," he or she continued. The former official acknowledged that Signal was made use of for "logistical information" but would not confirm whether it was employed during the Afghanistan pullout.