A recent incident involving senior members of the Trump administration has raised eyebrows after a journalist from The Atlantic was inadvertently included in a sensitive group chat on the messaging app Signal. The 18-person chat featured notable figures such as Vice President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, leading to concerns about security protocols within the administration.
During a press conference, Trump addressed the situation, asserting that the information shared within the chat was not classified and defended National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, stating that he should not apologise for the mix-up. Trump described it as a "snafu" and noted that technology is not infallible, implying that Waltz might refrain from using Signal in the future.
The journalist, Goldberg, reported that he was mistakenly added to the chat through an account impersonating Waltz. He revealed that the discussions included specific details about weapons packages, targets, and timing, reflecting the sensitive nature of the content being shared.
In response to the incident, Trump indicated that his administration would limit the use of Signal due to potential security concerns. He expressed doubts about the app’s security measures, suggesting they may have allowed an unauthorised individual to join the conversation. In contrast, Waltz acknowledged the seriousness of the breach and assured that officials would review how the journalist gained access, emphasising their commitment to national security.
Additionally, Hegseth downplayed the gravity of the situation, insisting that "nobody was texting war plans" in the chat and criticized Goldberg, portraying him as "deceitful and highly discredited."
Overall, the incident has prompted discussions about the security protocols and technologies employed by the administration, underlining the need for tighter controls when handling sensitive information in digital communications.