Allegations of Secret Signal Chats by Mike Waltz Raise Security Concerns
Reports indicate that Mike Waltz may have set up over 20 secret Signal chat groups for discussing national security issues, following the leak of a chat pertaining to a Yemen attack. The initial leak has raised significant concerns about potential sharing of classified information, prompting inquiries from both political parties into communication protocols within the National Security Council.
Recent reports have emerged suggesting that Mike Waltz, the U.S. National Security Advisor, may have established at least 20 additional secret Signal chat groups besides the one that was leaked regarding the Yemen attack. The information comes from Politico, which indicated that these chat groups were utilized to deliberate on significant national security issues, potentially involving classified information. This revelation follows a leak involving a Signal chat from March 15 that highlighted a planned Yemen attack after a journalist was inadvertently included in the discussion.
The leak, termed “Signalgate,” contradicted claims made by U.S. officials that no sensitive national security details were divulged in the chat. In light of this incident, there have been no repercussions for members of the chat group, which included prominent figures such as Tulsi Gabbard and the Director of National Intelligence.
According to the Politico report, Signal, a secure messaging application, was frequently used by the National Security Council (NSC) for discussions on various crises worldwide. Topics for these chat groups reportedly encompassed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas situation, challenges posed by China, U.S. policy in the Middle East, and security issues relating to Africa and Europe.
While it remains unclear whether classified information was explicitly shared in these additional chat groups, sources claim that “sensitive information” was discussed. Notably, the leaked Yemen attack chat included vital operational details, raising concerns over the security of how national defense matters are communicated.
One source highlighted that it was a standard practice to convene chats on any given national security topic. Such communication protocols utilizing Signal reportedly began before the current administration took office, continuing even into the controversy surrounding Signalgate.
Following the leak, officials from the Trump administration initially denied the severity of the issue, later attempting to downplay the potential risks. Calls for investigation have emerged from both political parties to assess the implications of these revelations.
Although it is unclear who else may have been included in the other chat groups, speculation suggests it could include the same individuals present in the Yemen chat. Members like U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance were part of the discussion regarding the Yemen attack, where specific details such as aircraft, munitions, and timings were discussed.
In a subsequent interview, Waltz expressed his willingness to take “full responsibility” for what he described as “embarrassing” oversights, continuously maintaining that no classified information was shared during these communications. This stance mirrors that of Trump and other officials following the fallout from Signalgate.
In summary, the potential existence of multiple secret Signal chat groups led by Mike Waltz raises significant concerns about the dissemination of sensitive information within the U.S. National Security Council. The initial leak from the Yemen attack chat has prompted scrutiny and calls for investigation, ultimately questioning the efficacy and security of communications involving critical national security matters. Continued responses from the Trump administration have focused on emphasizing the success of operations while attempting to mitigate the fallout from the leak.
Original Source: www.wionews.com
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