Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

Multiple Democratic lawmakers have called on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to resign following revelations that they shared sensitive military plans in an unsecured group chat with other top Trump administration officials and a journalist.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, yesterday Jeff Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, published a report revealing that he had been added to a private Signal group chat that included several senior Trump administration officials, such as Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. According to Goldberg, the group chat contained detailed discussions about an upcoming US military strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen, including the timing, target locations, sequencing of the operation, and the specific weapons systems to be used. These conversations reportedly took place hours before the strikes were carried out, raising immediate alarm among national security experts. Despite Hegseth’s public denial that any war plans were shared, the White House National Security Council has since confirmed the authenticity of the messages, prompting widespread concern over the use of an unsecured, non-government messaging app to coordinate and discuss sensitive military operations.

What’s going on now: Following the report, many prominent Democratic lawmakers are demanding accountability and calling for the resignations of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), an Air Force veteran, condemned Hegseth’s actions as “reckless” and a direct threat to American lives. “Had that information gotten to the Houthis, American pilots could have been shot down [and] Navy sailors could have been targeted,” Lieu said during a press briefing. He added, “His reckless actions endangered lives of American troops, endangered our national security, and makes it so that our allies don’t want to share sensitive classified information with us any more.” Lieu also accused Hegseth of lying, saying, “The White House confirmed that these Signal chats were authentic. Instead of apologizing to the American people, Hegseth lied to the American people.”

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) echoed similar concerns during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, saying, “Obviously reckless, obviously dangerous—both the mishandling of classified information and the deliberate destruction of federal records are potential crimes that ought to be investigated immediately.” He demanded that Hegseth and Waltz resign, arguing that if a lower-ranking intelligence officer had behaved this way, they would have been fired.

Republican lawmakers have responded in a different tone. Yesterday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) downplayed the controversy, stating, “The White House is addressing the episode,” and said he didn’t believe disciplinary action was necessary. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) dismissed the uproar, telling Fox News, “They can’t argue with this new demonstration of American strength that is keeping Americans safe at home and abroad, so now we’re griping about who’s on a text message and who’s not. I mean, come on.”

However, some Republicans expressed concern, including Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), an Air Force veteran, who warned that adversaries likely intercepted the chat. “It’s a security violation, and there’s no doubt that Russia and China saw this stuff within hours of the actual attacks,” he said.

This all comes as President Trump has expressed confidence in National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who is believed to have accidentally added the journalist to the encrypted Signal group chat where sensitive military plans were discussed. Despite mounting bipartisan concerns and ongoing investigations, Trump has made it clear he does not intend to remove Waltz from his position. In a statement to Fox News, Trump said, “Mike Waltz is a patriot and a trusted member of my national security team. He’s done nothing wrong, and I have full confidence in him.”