Signal app at center of national security debate as Waltz faces backlash

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz’s team extensively used the encrypted messaging app Signal to coordinate work on national security crises worldwide, setting up at least 20 group chats covering issues such as Ukraine, China, Gaza, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

According to multiple sources familiar with these discussions, quoted by Politico, the chats often included high-ranking officials, including Cabinet members, and at times contained sensitive information.

The widespread use of Signal by Waltz’s team sheds new light on how the Trump administration’s national security team conducts internal coordination. While Signal is an approved app on government devices, national security experts warn that using it for official business could pose security risks, especially if it involves sensitive details. There are also concerns that automatically deleting messages could violate federal recordkeeping laws.

The National Security Council (NSC) has defended the use of Signal, stating that it is one of several approved communication methods for unclassified material. NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes emphasized that Signal is not the primary or secondary platform for official communications, and officials are expected to preserve records when using it. However, critics argue that the app's end-to-end encryption and auto-delete features make it difficult to track or archive messages properly.

Although the NSC insists no classified information was shared via Signal, multiple sources familiar with the chats indicated that sensitive details about national security operations were frequently discussed. This has raised concerns about whether proper protocols were followed and whether such conversations compromised national security.

The controversy surrounding Waltz’s use of Signal escalated after he accidentally added a journalist to a group chat discussing U.S. military strikes in Yemen. The exposure of operational details sparked widespread backlash, with critics arguing that it demonstrated a reckless approach to security. The incident intensified calls for Waltz’s removal and increased scrutiny of how the NSC manages classified and sensitive discussions.

The Yemen group chat reportedly included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who messaged other Cabinet officials about military strike plans and attack sequences against Iran-backed Houthi militants. Some experts and government officials suggested that the details shared in the chat were likely classified, though the White House has sought to downplay the significance of the information disclosed.

Further fueling the controversy, reports emerged that Waltz and his team also used personal Gmail accounts for government communication. The NSC has confirmed this but argued that it was done to comply with federal records retention rules. However, critics view it as another instance of poor security practices, drawing comparisons to past controversies over officials using personal email for government business.

In response to these revelations, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have launched an investigation into the NSC’s use of Signal and potential security breaches. Lawmakers have sent letters to multiple members of the “Houthi PC small group” Signal chat, requesting transcribed interviews to examine whether classified material was improperly handled.

Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly, the top Democrat on the committee, described the situation as “deeply alarming,” warning that it raises concerns about the misuse of unsecured communication platforms and the potential mishandling of sensitive national security information.

By Tamilla Hasanova