Calls grow for investigation after alleged cabinet-level security breach

Reports surfaced that members of the Trump administration’s cabinet discussed U.S. military operations over Signal, an non-governmental messaging app.

(CNN)-Senator Roger Wicker (R), Chair of the Armed Services Committee, has assured the public that Congress will be looking into an alleged security breach involving high-ranking officials. The controversy erupted after reports surfaced that members of the Trump administration’s cabinet discussed U.S. military operations over Signal, an encrypted but non-governmental messaging app. Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, claims he was mistakenly added to the group chat, which allegedly involved planning U.S. military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. “I was in a Safeway parking lot, watching my phone, realizing, ‘Oh, my God. This might be real,'” Goldberg said. “I think Pete Hegseth just sent this group actual targeting information, actual sequencing of an attack.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has denied sending any war plans. However, the Trump administration has acknowledged that the messages appear to be authentic. Several officials have expressed concern, with former National Security Adviser John Bolton calling the incident “shocking.” According to The Atlantic, the group chat was convened by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who holds the position Bolton once occupied during the first Trump administration. “Let’s forget the classification issue,” Bolton said. “How can you conduct official government business over a non-official channel?”

The incident raises serious legal questions, as the Espionage Act criminalizes mishandling classified information. Calls for an investigation are growing, with Democrats demanding answers and some Republicans agreeing that accountability is needed. “It’s a security violation, and there’s no doubt that Russia and China saw this stuff,” said Rep. Don Bacon (R), a member of the Armed Services Committee.