Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declared war on whistleblowers inside the Pentagon — at the same time that new reports of his own lax operational security and repeated disclosures of highly classified information to people without security clearances keep emerging.

Current and former Defense Department officials and the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee called out Hegseth, in conversations with The Intercept, for hypocrisy and a lack of accountability.

A defense official who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, confirmed recent reporting by The Associated Press that Hegseth had a “dirty” internet connection in his office to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer and bypass the Defense Department’s security protocols.

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell issued a non-denial denial to The Intercept, referencing only Hegseth’s Defense Department computer. “The Secretary of Defense’s use of communications systems and channels is classified,” said Parnell. “However, we can confirm that the Secretary has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer.”

The defense official said that Hegseth used multiple computers and phones even though personal electronic devices are generally banned, due to security vulnerabilities, from use inside the defense secretary’s office.

Another official said that the double standard at the Pentagon, where rank-and-file employees are suspected of leaks without cause while the chief shares classified attack plans with unauthorized civilians, had bred anger and discontent among staff. “I don’t mind telling you this now,” one official said. “I can’t say I really care too much anymore.”

Hegseth used Signal to share details about forthcoming strikes in Yemen on March 15 in a group chat — named “Defense | Team Huddle” — that included more than a dozen personal and professional contacts including his wife Jennifer, a former Fox News producer who does not work at the Pentagon. Also in the group were Hegseth’s brother Phil and Tim Parlatore, who serves as his personal lawyer; both have jobs with the Department of Defense. The Signal group also included many of Hegseth’s then-top aides, including Joe Kasper, his chief of staff; Dan Caldwell; and Darin Selnick.