Report Shows Signal Messages Were Classified Despite Trump's Claims

The Signalgate Scandal: A New Revelation About Classified Messages

A recent development in the ongoing Signalgate scandal has brought to light that some of the messages sent by Trump aides to a journalist were classified, contradicting previous claims made by the former administration. This revelation comes from an independent watchdog, which informed The Washington Post about the nature of these communications.

According to the report, messages from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Signal account contained details about a U.S. bomb campaign. These messages originated from a classified email labeled “SECRET/NOFORN.” The term “SECRET” indicates that the information was highly sensitive, with unauthorized disclosure posing a risk to national security. The “NOFORN” designation means the content was not intended for foreign nationals, even allies.

During a press conference in March regarding the Signal chat, President Donald Trump stated that no classified information had been shared. However, The Washington Post’s latest report suggests otherwise, highlighting the discrepancy between the administration's statements and the actual classification of the messages.

This controversy has led to an investigation by the Defense Department inspector general’s office, as requested by both Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee following the scandal. Despite this, the Pentagon has denied the report, insisting that the messages were declassified.

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell criticized the narrative surrounding the incident, stating, “The Signal narrative is so old and worn out, it’s starting to resemble Joe Biden’s mental state.” He emphasized that the department stands by its previous statements, claiming that no classified information was shared via Signal. Parnell also highlighted the strong operational security and discipline within the military, pointing to recent operations such as Operation Rough Rider and Operation Midnight Hammer as evidence.

The Origin of the Scandal

The Signalgate fiasco began in March when now-ousted National Security Adviser Mike Waltz added The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief to a group chat. The chat was created on the commercial messaging app Signal to discuss a bomb operation in Yemen. Journalist Jeffrey Goldberg later exposed the administration in an article titled “The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans.”

The scandal sparked criticism from various quarters, who questioned why high-level officials would use such a vulnerable communication method. The strike plans had been initially shared through a classified “SECRET” email with over a dozen defense officials by Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, the top commander overseeing Middle East military operations. These plans were then shared via the Signal group chat by Hegseth’s account on March 15, just before the U.S. launched its strikes in Yemen.

Kurilla had sent his sensitive message over the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, a classified system. However, the message shared by Hegseth was not transmitted through the same secure channel—it was shared on a Signal group chat. Along with discussing the timing of the strikes, top Trump aides used emojis to celebrate the attack, including an American flag, flame, fist, and bicep.

The chat included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The shared messages contained highly sensitive information, such as the day’s strike plan, the timing of the bombing, the aircraft involved, and the weapons used.

Following public outrage, Trump fired Waltz from his post. However, several Democrats and at least one Republican lawmaker have also called for Hegseth to be removed from his position.

The Future of the Investigation

Hegseth’s tenure at the White House has been marked by frequent infighting and turnover. The findings from the Defense Department inspector general’s office are expected to be released in the coming months and could significantly impact Hegseth’s job security. As the investigation continues, the implications of this scandal remain a topic of intense debate and scrutiny.