US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz takes responsibility for signal chat leak

US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has admitted fault for an embarrassing security lapse that exposed high-level military discussions to an unintended recipient. The breach, which involved a Signal group chat including senior officials, was brought to light after a journalist was mistakenly added to the conversation.

“I take full responsibility. I built the group,” Waltz stated in an interview with Fox News on March 25. He called the situation “embarrassing” but denied any classified material had been leaked. The Trump administration, including intelligence officials, has sought to downplay the security risks, but the revelation has sparked bipartisan calls for an investigation.

How a journalist gained access to military plans

The breach was first reported by The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, who revealed that he was inadvertently added to the encrypted group chat. In his article, Goldberg disclosed that he had seen classified plans outlining imminent US military strikes in Yemen — complete with weapon packages, targets, and timing — two hours before they were carried out. While he withheld those details from publication, the exposure of such sensitive information has raised alarm in Washington.

During his Fox News interview, Waltz struggled to explain how Goldberg was added to the chat. While contradicting President Donald Trump’s claim that a low-level staffer was responsible, Waltz suggested that a technical mishap led to the mistake. “We’ve got the best technical minds looking at how this happened,” he said, adding that he had personally consulted Elon Musk for help in investigating the breach.

Pressed on the mechanics of the incident, Waltz gave a vague response: “Well, if you have somebody else’s contact, then somehow it … gets sucked in. It gets sucked in.”

Trump downplays Incident as security concerns mount

President Trump dismissed concerns over the leak, calling it a mere “glitch” with “no impact at all” on military operations. However, during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe faced scrutiny over the situation. While both denied that classified material had been shared, Democrats and some Republicans demanded further transparency.

“The Signal chat situation sheds light on a sloppy and grossly incompetent national security strategy from the Trump administration,” said Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic vice-chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Leaked chats reveal tensions over European defense contributions

Beyond military planning, the leaked conversation also exposed high-level frustrations over Europe’s financial contributions to security efforts. In the chat, an account identified as Vice-President JD Vance expressed irritation that US strikes in Yemen would ultimately benefit Europe. “I just hate bailing Europe out again,” Vance allegedly wrote. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s account responded minutes later: “VP: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC.”

The leak has triggered a political firestorm, with watchdog groups taking legal action. American Oversight, a non-partisan organization, has filed a lawsuit against the officials involved, alleging violations of the Federal Records Act. The group argues that by setting the chat to automatically delete messages, participants broke federal record-keeping laws requiring White House officials to submit their records to the National Archives.

Meanwhile, the National Security Agency (NSA) had only recently warned employees about vulnerabilities in Signal, according to documents obtained by CBS. The revelation has heightened concerns about the administration’s reliance on consumer-grade messaging apps for high-stakes discussions.

With investigations looming and legal challenges underway, the Signal chat leak is poised to become a defining controversy in the Trump administration’s handling of national security.