Trump to Review Signal App Use While Defending Adviser Waltz
NSA Warned Staff About Signal Vulnerability Before Leak, Trump Downplays Concerns
A month before the high-profile breach of a Signal group chat involving top U.S. officials was revealed, the National Security Agency (NSA) had already issued an internal warning about the risks associated with the encrypted messaging app.
According to internal NSA documents cited by CBS News, the agency sent out an operational security memo in February cautioning employees about potential vulnerabilities in Signal.
“A vulnerability has been identified in the Signal Messenger Application,” the memo stated, adding that the app had become a prime target for surveillance and espionage. The NSA specifically warned that Russian hackers were using phishing scams to gain access to conversations and circumvent encryption.
While Signal and WhatsApp were permitted for unclassified communications, the agency reiterated that neither should be used for sensitive or classified discussions.
‘Signalgate’ Sparks Political Reactions
The leak, now being dubbed “Signalgate,” has ignited debate in Washington. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal called the breach “appalling and astonishing,” while some Republicans have sought to frame it as a learning experience rather than a security failure. Some GOP lawmakers have also pointed to the successful execution of an attack on the Houthis in Yemen, which was discussed in the Signal chat, as justification for its use.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune labeled the situation “inappropriate” and indicated that the Senate Armed Services Committee would investigate the incident. Blumenthal, who serves on the committee, warned that the leak could have had disastrous consequences, potentially exposing U.S. military targets, weapons, and strategy to adversaries.
Trump Defends Waltz, Dismisses Concerns
Former President Donald Trump addressed the controversy, insisting that no classified information was compromised. When asked whether National Security Adviser Mike Waltz or others involved should face consequences, Trump dismissed the idea, saying, “It’s just something that can happen.”
Trump also downplayed his own knowledge of Signal, stating, “I don’t know anything about the app,” but suggested that Waltz would likely avoid using it in the future. Waltz echoed this sentiment, saying it would be preferable to conduct discussions in person rather than rely on encrypted messaging apps.
Despite being pressed by reporters, Trump avoided committing to an official review of government use of Signal, merely stating, “We’ll look into it.” He emphasized that the most secure way to communicate would be in a controlled environment, joking that “if it was up to me, everybody would be sitting in a room with solid lead walls, a lead ceiling, and a lead floor.”
Trump to Review Signal App Use While Defending Adviser Waltz