House Republicans are defying the White House’s attempts to downplay the “Signalgate” scandal, with several members publicly disagreeing with the administration’s claim that leaked information wasn’t classified. This information, shared via the Signal app, included sensitive details about a planned military strike, such as attack timings and confidential CIA sources. Rep. Mike Turner, a former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, stated the discussed material should be considered classified. The controversy has reached voters, with town hall meetings erupting in anger over the security breach and calls for resignations.
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A recent poll reveals that a majority of registered voters (54%), including more Republican voters (38%) than those wanting him to stay (33%), believe that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should resign. This follows the revelation that Hegseth, along with other Trump administration officials, shared sensitive military information with a journalist accidentally added to a group chat. The ensuing controversy, involving the discussion of a Yemen airstrike and disparaging remarks about Europe, has fueled calls for resignations. Despite President Trump dismissing the incident as a “glitch,” the poll highlights significant public disapproval of Hegseth’s handling of classified information.
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National Security Adviser Mike Waltz’s use of Signal to discuss sensitive matters, including peace negotiations and military operations with cabinet officials, has raised concerns about national security and record-keeping. The app’s auto-delete function violates federal record preservation laws, prompting a lawsuit and bipartisan calls for investigation. While Waltz and other officials deny sharing classified information, the incident highlights vulnerabilities in secure communication at the highest levels of government. The potential for intelligence breaches and the ongoing legal challenges threaten Waltz’s position.
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Republican Senators James Lankford and Roger Wicker have called for an investigation into a Signal group chat where White House national security officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, discussed sensitive military information with a journalist present. The inquiry will focus on how a reporter gained access to the chat and the appropriateness of using an unencrypted app for sensitive communication. While some Republicans have joined Democrats in demanding resignations, Lankford believes calls for Hegseth’s resignation are excessive. The incident involves potentially classified details about a planned Yemen attack.
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Two spreadsheets containing sensitive information on U.S. State Department and USAID programs were leaked online after being shared with Congress, despite assurances to recipient organizations that the data would remain confidential. This leak, following a separate incident involving the accidental real-time sharing of Yemen attack plans, jeopardizes the safety of individuals working in repressive regimes. The information exposed includes details of programs operating in countries like China, Russia, and Iran, potentially leading to the identification and endangerment of local activists and partners. The leak prompted frantic damage control efforts from affected organizations, highlighting the severe consequences of this reckless disregard for the safety of foreign collaborators.
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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer, attended two high-level meetings involving sensitive national security discussions with foreign military counterparts, raising concerns about protocol and security. These meetings included a session with the UK defense secretary at the Pentagon and another at NATO headquarters in Brussels. While spouses occasionally attend official events, former defense officials cited the unusual nature of a spouse’s presence in such sensitive discussions. The incidents follow criticism of Hegseth’s handling of classified information in a leaked Signal chat, prompting a Senate inquiry.
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Following a leak of national security officials’ Signal messages discussing a potential military strike, Fox News hosts offered varying responses. Laura Ingraham portrayed the discussions as serious and thoughtful, while Jesse Watters minimized the leak, and Sean Hannity dismissed the information’s classification. However, Matt Gertz suggests Fox News’ explanations may not resonate with viewers, given the leak’s straightforward nature and widespread perception of its severity, as evidenced by a YouGov poll. Gertz further argues that the incident could damage the right-wing media’s credibility.
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Trump allies are starting to notice Hegseth’s growing pile of mistakes, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The sheer number of blunders is raising serious concerns, even within his own circle. This isn’t just about isolated incidents; it’s a pattern of behavior that’s eroding confidence and raising questions about his competence.
Trump allies are starting to notice Hegseth’s growing pile of mistakes, particularly given the gravity of his position. The Defense Secretary role demands a level of expertise and judgment that many believe Hegseth simply lacks. His background and previous experiences seem woefully inadequate for the complexities of the job, leading to a string of errors that are increasingly difficult to overlook.… Continue reading
In a scathing *New York Times* op-ed, Hillary Clinton denounced the Trump administration’s approach to governance as both “dumb and dangerous,” citing the Signal chat scandal as a prime example of reckless behavior jeopardizing national security. Clinton further criticized the administration’s drastic cuts to the federal workforce, particularly impacting the US Agency for International Development, arguing this weakens America’s “soft power.” She concluded that this combination of incompetence and reckless decision-making renders the US “feeble and friendless” on the world stage. The former Secretary of State warned that the administration’s current trajectory poses a significant threat to national security, far exceeding the implications of a simple messaging app mishap.
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A YouGov poll indicates that the “Signal Scandal” surpasses both the Trump classified documents case and Clinton email controversy in the eyes of the American public, with 74% deeming it at least somewhat serious. This includes a significant portion of Republicans (60%). The poll’s findings are discussed by MSNBC’s Jen Psaki and John Harwood. The severity of the leak is a major concern across the political spectrum.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood