Concerns Rise Over New Reports of Secret Signal Chats in U.S. National Security

A recent report suggests U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz may have created at least 20 secret Signal chat groups for discussing major national security issues, following the leak of a chat regarding a Yemen attack. The leak, known as ‘Signalgate,’ contradicted official claims about operational security. The report highlights potential lapses and calls for investigations into these practices are emerging from both political parties.

Recent developments regarding leaked communications in the realm of U.S. national security have raised significant concerns. Reports indicate that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and his team potentially established at least 20 additional secret Signal chat groups for discussing critical national security issues. This news follows the infamous leak of a Signal chat concerning a Yemen attack, which was inadvertently exposed when a journalist was added to the group.

The chat leak, termed ‘Signalgate,’ initially surfaced following the March 15 Yemen operation. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, published details from the chat, contradicting official claims that no sensitive information was disclosed. The discussions in these chats included operational details regarding the Yemen operation, which included classified material as asserted by experts, and involved notable figures such as Tulsi Gabbard and the Director of National Intelligence.

Politico reported that the Signal app was frequently utilized for coordinating responses to global crises, covering significant topics like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas situation, and national security issues in Africa and Europe. The practice of establishing such chat groups appears to have been quite common within the National Security Council (NSC), as asserted by sources familiar with the matter.

While there are no confirmed reports regarding the sharing of classified information within these additional 20 chat groups, it has been noted that sensitive discussions were commonplace. The operational details shared in the Yemen attack chat reflected potentially classified information, raising alarms about security protocols.

Furthermore, the report alludes to a standard operating procedure commenced perhaps even before the Trump administration. Initial responses from White House officials to the leak were characterized by denial and minimization, but bipartisan calls for investigations have emerged, indicating a broader concern regarding potential security risks related to these communications.

The identities of participants in these additional Signal groups have not been clearly specified. However, it is plausible that they consisted of individuals involved in the Yemen attack chat, including high-level officials such as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance. Following the fallout from the leak, Waltz has assumed “full responsibility” for the situation while asserting that classified information had not been compromised, continuing the stance taken by Trump and his administration in subsequent public communications.

In summary, the revelations surrounding Mike Waltz’s encryption-based communication practices denote troubling implications for U.S. national security protocols. The existence of multiple Signal chat groups for sensitive discussions raises concerns over potential leaks and security breaches. Furthermore, bipartisan political reactions suggest a need for thorough investigations into these practices, particularly following the significant security lapse evidenced by the Yemen chat leak, which involved sensitive operational details and superfluous risks.

Original Source: www.wionews.com