US security scandal escalates as signal messages reveal military secrets

File Source: Euro

A national security scandal involving senior US intelligence and defense officials has deepened with the release of screenshots showing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sharing detailed information about airstrikes in Yemen via Signal, an encrypted messaging app.

The Pentagon leader used a group chat to communicate with top Trump administration figures about imminent attacks against Iran-backed Houthi forces on March 15.

Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of *The Atlantic*, revealed the existence of the chat on Monday, saying he had mistakenly been added to the group by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. Following Goldberg’s exposé, Democrats have demanded Hegseth and Waltz resign over what they call a serious intelligence breach, while the Trump administration has attempted to downplay the fallout. Despite repeated denials that classified information was shared, *The Atlantic* published a longer transcript and screenshots on Wednesday, revealing that Hegseth had listed the exact timing of military operations, along with details on the weapons and aircraft involved—just hours before the strikes took place.

Democratic Senator Andy Kim reacted to the latest revelations, posting on X: “This new Signal chat is shocking. Clearly incredibly sensitive and classified information.” He added, “As someone who worked in the Situation Room before, I cannot believe Hegseth would recklessly text info that could put a target on our pilots and service members. He needs to resign.” Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut echoed those concerns, saying, “It’s by the awesome grace of God that we are not mourning dead pilots right now.”

While facing questioning before the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard insisted that national security had not been compromised. “There were no sources, methods, locations or war plans that were shared,” she claimed. Hegseth, currently on a tour of the Indo-Pacific, also denied revealing “war plans.”

Security analysts have questioned why Hegseth and other officials used Signal, an app not permitted on secure government devices, for sensitive discussions. According to an anonymous US official, the Defense Department had issued a warning just a day before the March 15 strikes, cautioning staff that Russia was actively trying to hack Signal.

The US has been targeting the Houthis in Yemen in response to their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The leaked messages have raised concerns about operational security and the potential risk posed to American military personnel.