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Multiple US lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are demanding accountability and an investigation after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive military strike details over a messaging app.
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 a non-government messaging app to coordinate and discuss sensitive military operations.
What’s going on now: Amid the fallout of what some are now calling “Signalgate,” Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Vice Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) have told the White House they want an inspector general to investigate the matter and are alluding that a bipartisan investigation into the leak of sensitive military plans shared over Signal is coming. While Wicker acknowledged the severity of the breach, he stopped short of demanding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s resignation, stating, “If mistakes were made, I think we’re all human, and they should be acknowledged.”
Other Republicans have also expressed growing concern. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) called the incident “really bad,” adding, “This is what happens when you don’t really have your act together.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) called for transparency, saying, “We’re getting to the bottom of what that whole text chain entailed… people are asking questions, and they deserve answers.”
Democrats have been more forceful in their condemnation. Senator Gallego (D-AZ) was among the first to demand Hegseth’s resignation. Gallego said, “This could have gotten our men and women killed! Strike times, when planes are taking off, what weapons are being used — all shared in [an] unsafe manner.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joined the calls, saying, “He should be fired.”
This all comes as President Trump has downplayed the additional release of Signal messages published by The Atlantic, insisting the controversy is overblown. “There weren’t details, and there was nothing in there that compromised,” Trump said during an appearance on The Vince Show, adding, “It had no impact on the attack, which was very successful.”
