Importance Score: 68 / 100 🔴
Trump Security Aide’s Team Uses Signal App for Sensitive National Security Discussions
Aides to former President Donald Trump’s national security advisor, Mike Waltz, reportedly utilized the encrypted messaging application Signal to coordinate sensitive national security matters, according to sources cited by Politico. This practice, involving at least 20 distinct group chats, raises concerns about the handling of classified information within the Trump administration.
Signal Chats Used for Wide Range of Policy Topics
The disclosure, attributed to four individuals with direct knowledge, follows increased scrutiny regarding the administration’s procedures for handling sensitive information. This scrutiny intensified after The Atlantic published messages from a separate chat involving Pete Hegseth, where operational details of strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen were shared.
Politico’s sources indicated that these Signal chats encompassed a broad spectrum of policy domains, including discussions on:
- Ukraine
- China
- Gaza
- Broader Middle East policy
- Africa
- Europe
All four sources acknowledged witnessing “sensitive information” exchanged within these digital forums. However, none reported awareness of classified material being transmitted.
Concerns Over Security Practices and Record Keeping
Recent reports have highlighted a perceived nonchalant attitude within Waltz’s team regarding the safeguarding of national security secrets. The Washington Post previously reported that documents revealed Waltz’s staff conducted government business using personal Gmail accounts, raising further questions about security protocols.
White House Defends Use of Signal
The White House has defended the use of Signal. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes informed Politico that Signal is “not prohibited on government devices” and is pre-installed on phones within certain agencies.
Hughes clarified, “It is one of the permitted methods of communication but not the primary or secondary,” and dismissed any claims of classified information being shared as “categorically false.”
Contradiction with Defense Department Guidelines
Assertions from administration officials, including past statements from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Hegseth, that no classified messages were exchanged, appear to contradict the Department of Defense’s established regulations regarding what constitutes classified information.
In the prior chat incident, Hegseth reportedly shared specific operational particulars about military engagements in Yemen, such as launch timings for F-18 fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles. Brian Finucane, a former State Department attorney with experience advising on Yemen strikes, stated that such specifics would typically be classified based on his professional experience.
Potential Violations and Security Risks
Figures within the national security community have cautioned that utilizing a messaging application like Signal could potentially violate federal record-keeping regulations, particularly if chats are configured for automatic deletion. Furthermore, it could jeopardize operational security if a device were to be compromised.
Trump Administration Support for Waltz
Despite prior controversies, Leavitt conveyed on Monday that former President Trump continues to fully support his national security advisor. She also indicated that an inquiry into an incident where Waltz inadvertently added a journalist to a sensitive chat has been concluded.