Recent developments regarding the Trump ‘war plan group chat’ have highlighted the alarming scale of a security lapse within the government.
In an unexpected turn last month, White House officials inadvertently included a journalist in a non-secure group chat discussing a planned attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, reported that he was mistakenly added to a Signal messaging group that comprised some of Donald Trump’s senior officials.
Goldberg stated that he accessed classified military information, ‘including details about targets, and weapons the U.S. would be deploying,’ mere hours before the operation was carried out.
A legal complaint from the government watchdog American Oversight accused several high-ranking officials of not fulfilling their responsibilities under the Federal Records Act regarding discussions on military operations in the group chat from March 11 to March 15.
The officials implicated include Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of State and Acting Archivist of the US Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Director of the CIA John L. Ratcliffe.
It has surfaced that Hegseth exploited a compromised internet connection from his Pentagon office to bypass government security measures and install the messaging app on a personal computer, according to two individuals with knowledge of the method, who spoke to the Associated Press.
This method, known as a ‘dirty line’ by IT specialists, is used to access websites that are usually blocked by the Pentagon for security reasons.
Defense department computers have access to two systems: SiprNet, a secure network for classified data, and NiprNet, for unclassified information.
By attempting to circumvent Pentagon security filters, Hegseth may have inadvertently exposed sensitive information, making it vulnerable to cyberattacks or surveillance.
Despite the prohibition on using electronic devices in the defense secretary’s office, insiders informed the news outlet that Hegseth’s desk sometimes hosted three computers: a personal one, one for classified data, and another for sensitive defense information.
The Washington Post revealed that the former Fox weekend anchor had requested the installation of Signal on a computer in his Pentagon office for sharing military information with family and friends.
Hegseth is also accused of using another group chat to discuss military plans with Cabinet members, which was also leaked.
According to the New York Times, a second chat involved over a dozen individuals, including Hegseth’s lawyer, wife, and brother.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated: “We can confirm that the secretary has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer.”
Despite these assurances, the defense secretary’s aides have voiced concerns about his decision-making, including former press secretary John Ullyot.
In a statement to CNN, Ullyot commented: “It’s been a month of total chaos at the Pentagon. From leaks of sensitive operational plans to mass firings, the dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president — who deserves better from his senior leadership.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer remarked last month: “This is one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence that I have read about in a very, very long time.”
Schumer urged Trump to dismiss Hegseth, citing that he endangered lives.
Meanwhile, Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi, announced plans to investigate the matter.
“It’s definitely a concern,” he noted. “It appears that mistakes were made.”