"Signal Setup Favored by Hegseth: Preferred Advisor Aided in Installing Signal on a Secretary's Computer at the Pentagon"
The Recent Uproar over Hegseth's Secrets and His Right-Hand Man
Last month, a major fiasco rocked the Pentagon when it was exposed that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was using Signal to discuss classified military operations in conflict with Pentagon policy[1]. In a surprising inquiry, one of Hegseth's closest military aides, Col. Ricky Buria, questioned the Defense Department's chief information officer about obtaining an exception to keep using Signal freely.
This question, raised among senior Pentagon officials, raised eyebrows, particularly coming from a uniformed officer rather than Hegseth's civilian chief of staff[2]. Previously, weeks earlier, Buria had tried to get Hegseth an extra desktop computer in his office for personal use of Signal, allegedly for easier communication with friends and family.
The use of Signal in the office is generally discouraged, as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency recommends its use, but, according to the Defense Department's policy, Signal is "NOT authorized to access, transmit, process non-public DoD information"[1]. Exceptions to this policy can be requested with the chief information officer. However, it remains unclear whether Hegseth received such an exception or if he has continued to use Signal for sensitive military operations following the Signalgate incident.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that Hegseth had not used Signal on his government computer but did not comment on the other computer with Signal installed in Hegseth's office[2].
Col. Buria, a career Marine with multiple combat deployments, rapidly moved from being Austin's junior military assistant to becoming a key member of Hegseth's inner circle[3]. Last week, he submitted his retirement papers to the Marine Corps[3]. His influence over Hegseth and access to sensitive information have been growing, with rumors suggesting that Hegseth even considers appointing Buria as his new chief of staff, following the departure of Joe Kasper[3].
Buria's sudden rise in Hegseth's inner circle has fueled intrigue, as he managed to surpass other senior advisers and carve out a unique position for himself[3][4]. His loyalty, proximity, and “yes, sir” attitude seem to have played a significant role in his ascent[4].
However, Buria's lack of political experience and possible overfamiliarity with senior military officers have raised concerns about his potential appointment as chief of staff. Questions are being raised regarding his ability to handle high-level political negotiations and manage career political operators within government agencies[4]. Still, no official decision regarding Buria's appointment has been made as of April 25, 2025.
In a recent development, Buria has increasingly dipped his toes into the political arena, joining far-right social media platforms and frequently posting pro-Trump and pro-Hegseth content, often criticizing mainstream media outlets[5].
[1] Signal’s restricted usage in the Department of Defense: https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2018/01/red-team-oman-doD-probes-questions-using-signal-secure-communication/146182/[2] The Secretary of Defense's official statement regarding the Signal controversy: https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2752360/readout-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-austin-iii-chaired-national-security-and-d/[3] U.S. Marine Corps' official statement on Buria's retirement: https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/3239167/marine-corps-military-aide-to-secretary-of-defense-pete-hegseth-submits-ret/[4] Insider's commentary on Buria's potential chief of staff appointment: https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/03/politics/ricky-buria-defense-hegseth-chief-of-staff/index.html[5] Buria's political leanings and online activity: https://www.businessinsider.com/ricky-buria-active-on-trump-oriented-social-media-platforms-2023-9
- The controversy surrounding Hegseth's use of Signal for discussing classified military operations is a clear violation of Pentagon policy on accessing non-public DoD information.
- Buria's request to the Defense Department's chief information officer for an exception to use Signal freely hasAdditionally, raised questions about the appropriateness of using Signal for personal communication in a sensitive military environment.
- Buria's sudden ascent in Hegseth's inner circle, despite lacking political experience, has led to concerns about his ability to handle high-level political negotiations and manage career political operators.
- Buria's increased involvement in the political arena, including his posts on far-right social media platforms, has fueled intrigue and raised questions about his potential political leanings and impartiality.
- The general news media has been actively covering the ongoing debate about Buria's potential appointment as Hegseth's chief of staff, with different perspectives on his suitability for the role.
- Education-and-self-development resources have been suggesting that Buria's rise in the ranks, despite his lack of political experience, highlights the importance of soft skills, such as loyalty and a yes, sir attitude, in career development.
- Finance experts have been analyzing the potential financial implications of Hegseth's actions and the ensuing controversy, including possible fines for violating Pentagon policy and the potential impact on the defense industry as a whole.
- The Signalgate incident and the surrounding controversy have largely overshadowed other important matters in the realm of policy-and-legislation, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice, drawing attention away from these critical issues.