Reports Indicate Extensive Use of Signal Chat Groups for National Security by Mike Waltz

Reports indicate that Mike Waltz may have set up 20 additional secret Signal chat groups related to national security discussions. Following the leak of a Yemen attack chat, which included operational details, concerns about potential sharing of classified information have arisen. There are calls for investigations into the practices of the National Security Council regarding the use of encrypted communication platforms for sensitive matters.

Recent reports have emerged suggesting that U.S. National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, may have established at least 20 additional secret Signal chat groups, beyond the one that was leaked concerning plans for a Yemen attack. According to a report by Politico, these chat groups were purportedly created for discussing significant national security issues, potentially involving classified information.

The leak of the Yemen attack chat occurred when a journalist from The Atlantic was inadvertently added to the group, leading to a comprehensive publication of the chat. This leak, referred to as ‘Signalgate,’ has called into question previous statements made by government officials who claimed no sensitive information was compromised. Despite the revealing contents of the leaked chats, there have been no known repercussions for the officials involved.

Politico’s report highlighted that Signal, an encrypted messaging application, has been utilized extensively within the National Security Council (NSC) for coordinating responses to various global crises. Topics of discussion across these chat groups reportedly included the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas situation, security challenges regarding China, and U.S. policies in the Middle East.

Reports indicate that several senior members of the Trump administration were included in these chat groups, with the practice being described as common within the NSC framework. There are suggestions that these groups were created to address multiple national security subjects.

While sources noted that sensitive information was often discussed, it remains unclear whether classified materials were exchanged in these additional chat groups. Nonetheless, the Yemen attack chat contained operational details, which experts assert does qualify as classified information under U.S. law.

Sources revealed that it was typical for chats to be organized on topics pertaining to national security. The report indicated that the establishment of these Signal groups may not have been a temporary measure but rather a structured aspect of the NSC’s communication strategies, which could have originated as far back as the transition period before President Trump took office.

In the wake of the Signalgate leak, the Trump administration’s initial response was to deny the severity of the situation, transitioning to a strategy of minimizing its implications. This incident has sparked calls from both Republican and Democratic political figures for a thorough investigation into potential security risks.

While the report did not specify the individuals involved in the other chat groups, it is speculated that they could include the same officials featured in the Yemen attack discussions, which encompassed notable figures such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance. Hegseth had shared detailed operational plans within the chat prior to the execution of the Yemen strike.

In subsequent remarks, Mike Waltz accepted full responsibility for the “embarrassing” breaches while maintaining that no classified information was shared, mirroring the consistent defense presented by Trump and his officials post-leak, during which they emphasized the success of the military operation.

The emergence of potential additional Signal chat groups suggests a systematic approach within the National Security Council led by Mike Waltz during the Trump administration. The implications of the leaked Yemen attack chat have raised concerns regarding national security protocol and the sharing of sensitive information. As investigations proceed, the accountability of the officials involved remains under scrutiny, highlighting the need for adherence to established security standards in governmental communications. This situation underscores the critical balance required in managing classified information amid national security discussions.

Original Source: www.wionews.com