Signal use in government far more widespread than previously thought: Report

• President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser Mike Waltz reportedly had his team use the Signal app to communicate on issues including the Trump administration’s Middle East policy, Gaza, Ukraine, Europe and Africa. The revelations come from four sources who spoke with Politico, some of whom are included in these chats.
• The report, published on Wednesday, reveals a more widespread use of Signal than previously disclosed, including use within the Biden administration.
• The findings come as Waltz faces criticism after a journalist was inadvertently added to a Signal group chat discussing planned military strikes in Yemen.

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New details are emerging about the widespread use of the Signal app among White House officials, both in President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden’s administrations.

What did the report say?

A report published on Wednesday, April 2, reveals that National Security Adviser Mike Waltz’s team used the Signal app to communicate on issues including Ukraine, China, Gaza, Middle East policy, Africa and Europe, according to four people who tell Politico they were personally added to these chats.

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Two sources say they know of at least 20 instances of Signal group chats used to discuss these global issues.

The report reveals a more widespread use of the app than previously disclosed.

What has already been reported?

As Straight Arrow News recently reported, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told Congress that government officials are urged to use encrypted apps like Signal for communication when in-person meetings are impossible. She also said that Signal is “pre-installed” on government devices.

Officials have repeatedly warned that the app should not be used to share classified information, citing national security concerns. The government also notes that the Signal app’s function of automatically deleting chats violates federal law.

What are sources saying?

A National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson said any accusation the app was used to discuss classified information is “100% untrue.”

All four government sources tell Politico they are unaware of any classified information shared on the app.

Waltz’s use of Signal to discuss work with the NSC first came under criticism after The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief was accidentally added to a group chat revealing military strikes in Yemen.

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Are there other concerns?

Since The Atlantic’s report on the leak emerged, Waltz and his staff have also faced criticism for using personal Gmail accounts for government communication, as reported by The Washington Post.

The NSC says Waltz and his staff used Gmail within federal rules and never shared classified information over the platform either.

Both Democrats and Republicans have raised concerns over unsecured communications by government officials over the years.