Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, Mike Waltz, is under scrutiny for his involvement in a private Signal group chat concerning war plans. Waltz testified before the Senate on Tuesday as part of his confirmation process to become the US ambassador to the United Nations. He was removed from his prior position in May before being nominated for the ambassador role by President Trump.
During the hearing, Democratic senators questioned Waltz about his participation in a group chat that inadvertently included a journalist. Waltz denied sharing any classified material and emphasized that no sensitive information had been compromised. The March incident, dubbed “Signalgate,” caused turmoil in the White House and raised new concerns about digital security practices.
Waltz had created the Signal group to coordinate discussions about a planned strike on Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Participants included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as many other high-ranking officials. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was mistakenly added to the chat and later reported on its contents.
In response to the controversary, Waltz appeared on Fox News and accepted full responsibility for starting the chat. He acknowledged the incident was embarrassing, but insisted that no classified information had been shared. Despite the fallout, Waltz has received continued support from the Trump administration, which nominated him for the position at the United Nations. Although some Democrats oppose his nomination, his confirmation appears likely due to the Republican majority in the Senate.
Concerns About the Signal Use for Military Discussions
During the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Senator Chris Coons expressed concern about the use of Signal for military-sensitive discussions. He stated that the app was not suitable for transmitting “very sensitive, timely information” related to national security matters. Waltz defended his decision by saying the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommended the use of Signal. He claimed that the recommendation came under the Biden administration and was considered authorized.
Senator Coons emphasized that the information shared in the chat was demonstrably sensitive. He then asked whether Waltz had been investigated for including a journalist in the group. Waltz responded that the White House had probed the incident, and the Department of Defense was continuing its inquiry. Senator Tim Kaine also questioned whether a Pentagon investigation into Secretary Hegseth’s involvement was still active.
Waltz said he could not comment on ongoing investigations but maintained that no classified data had been disclosed. Republican senators, in contrast, didn’t focus on the Signal controversy during the hearing. Instead, they asked Waltz about US contributions to the United Nations and strategies to counter China’s global influence.
Senator Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida, praised Waltz as a man of integrity, principle, and grit. Waltz’s nomination comes during a time of international uncertainty about America’s global leadership role. If confirmed, he would represent US interests abroad amid widespread cuts in foreign aid and staffing reductions at the State Department and USAID.
Senator Mike Barrasso of Wyoming asked Waltz about ensuring accountability for U.S. taxpayer money sent to the United Nations. Waltz replied that he would review funding for several international organizations and climate-related programs. He mentioned the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the UN Environment Program, and other similar initiatives.
