A private Signal chat among top national security officials from the Trump administration has triggered political uproar despite no evidence that classified material was shared. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe have told Congress that no secrets were disclosed, pushing back on Democrat-led accusations.
The chat came to light after Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was reportedly added by accident. Goldberg later published details he saw, claiming it involved military targets in Yemen and the name of an intelligence officer. But both Gabbard and Ratcliffe denied that the content crossed legal lines or breached national security.
No classified material.
That is the end of the discussion. Move on Dems— Steve Brown (@J_Steve_Brown) March 25, 2025
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) demanded the messages be handed over during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. Gabbard refused, stating the matter remains under internal review. She declined to say whether she was part of the chat, but emphasized there was no classified material involved.
Warner attempted to use a previous statement Gabbard made about illegal leaks to challenge her refusal. She responded that there’s a major difference between malicious intent and an accidental situation where nothing secret was involved.
Why can’t he allow them to answer? Without interruption
— Ms.G (@GSchifanelli) March 25, 2025
Ratcliffe confirmed he was in the chat and said its use was authorized by CIA policy. He explained that Signal had been installed on his agency-issued computer when he took the post, and that its use had been reviewed and approved.
The claims against Gabbard and Ratcliffe have led to calls from some Democrats for Pete Hegseth to resign due to his reported participation. But critics argue that the controversy is being used to smear Trump allies with no proof of wrongdoing.
Goldberg, who received the chat messages after being mistakenly included, claimed operational details were discussed but did not prove they were classified or that any laws were broken.
