US National Security Council Advisor Under Scrutiny for Use of Signal Messaging App
Concerns Arise as Mike Waltz Reportedly Managed Multiple Chat Groups Including Sensitive Discussions
Mike Waltz, a Republican serving as the Chief of the National Security Council (NSC) under President Donald Trump, is facing scrutiny over his use of the Signal messaging application for potentially sensitive communications.
An investigation revealed that Waltz and his team operated 20 chat groups on Signal, where discussions involving confidential topics allegedly took place.
Signal, a secure messaging platform similar to WhatsApp and Facetime, employs end-to-end encryption for message transmission.
However, the messages are typically stored on users' devices, raising concerns regarding security vulnerabilities.
Citing unnamed individuals who were reportedly members of these chat groups, a recent report stated that Waltz's communication processes concerning the NSC were primarily conducted through Signal.
The groups discussed a range of security issues, including the situations in Ukraine, China, Gaza, and various concerns pertaining to Europe and Africa.
Members of these chat groups reportedly included officials from the US Cabinet and other senior personnel.
One informant noted that it was common practice to establish chats regarding all current security matters.
In response to inquiries about the groups, NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes defended the communication methods, asserting that these were legitimate channels for non-classified materials.
Hughes remarked that users are expected to secure their contributions and explicitly denied any claims regarding the exchange of classified information, stating that such assertions are "100 percent false."
Despite Hughes' clarification, reports indicate that while classified information was not explicitly exchanged, discussions involved confidential material.
Earlier developments had emerged when another publication revealed that Waltz, along with officials including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, had shared plans concerning military actions against Houthi militants in Yemen within a Signal group he established, inadvertently including the editor of a major publication in the conversation.
An investigation revealed that Waltz and his team operated 20 chat groups on Signal, where discussions involving confidential topics allegedly took place.
Signal, a secure messaging platform similar to WhatsApp and Facetime, employs end-to-end encryption for message transmission.
However, the messages are typically stored on users' devices, raising concerns regarding security vulnerabilities.
Citing unnamed individuals who were reportedly members of these chat groups, a recent report stated that Waltz's communication processes concerning the NSC were primarily conducted through Signal.
The groups discussed a range of security issues, including the situations in Ukraine, China, Gaza, and various concerns pertaining to Europe and Africa.
Members of these chat groups reportedly included officials from the US Cabinet and other senior personnel.
One informant noted that it was common practice to establish chats regarding all current security matters.
In response to inquiries about the groups, NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes defended the communication methods, asserting that these were legitimate channels for non-classified materials.
Hughes remarked that users are expected to secure their contributions and explicitly denied any claims regarding the exchange of classified information, stating that such assertions are "100 percent false."
Despite Hughes' clarification, reports indicate that while classified information was not explicitly exchanged, discussions involved confidential material.
Earlier developments had emerged when another publication revealed that Waltz, along with officials including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, had shared plans concerning military actions against Houthi militants in Yemen within a Signal group he established, inadvertently including the editor of a major publication in the conversation.
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