EXPOSED: Trump Officials Used Russian-Compromised App for Secret War Plans

Paul Riverbank, 4/1/2025Senior Trump officials exposed war plans using Russian-compromised Signal app, sparking national security concerns.

The Signal That Shook Washington

In my three decades covering national security, few stories have left Washington's inner circle as rattled as last week's "Signalgate" revelation. The discovery that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and other senior officials were conducting sensitive discussions about Yemen operations over a commercial messaging app has exposed troubling gaps in White House communications protocol.

I spoke with several former NSC staffers who could hardly contain their disbelief. "Using Signal for operational planning? That's Security 101," remarked one Bush-era veteran, requesting anonymity to speak freely. "We wouldn't even discuss lunch orders on unauthorized channels."

The breach came to light in an almost comedic fashion - Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg found himself mysteriously added to a high-level Signal chat group. But there's nothing funny about the participants: Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, and others at the apex of American security leadership.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's attempt to declare the matter "closed" on Monday felt premature. Having covered similar controversies, I've noticed a pattern - the faster an administration tries to move on, the deeper the problem usually runs.

The timing couldn't be worse. Just weeks ago, CBS News exposed Russian intelligence services' exploitation of Signal vulnerabilities. One intelligence official I spoke with yesterday (who wasn't authorized to comment publicly) called it "a perfect storm of poor judgment."

Waltz's distinguished military background - four Bronze Stars and Special Forces service - makes this lapse particularly puzzling. His reputation for meticulous attention to detail seems at odds with such a basic security breach.

Meanwhile, the administration keeps pushing forward. Secretary Rubio announced a major counterterrorism win Monday with El Salvador. But in Congressional corridors, the murmurs grow louder. Three separate committees are considering investigations.

"We can't just shrug this off," Representative Claire McKaskill told me during a brief Capitol Hill encounter. "The precedent it sets is dangerous."

Having witnessed countless Washington scandals, I'm struck by how this one differs. It's not about partisan politics or personal misconduct - it's about fundamental national security practices in an age where convenience often trumps caution.

The coming weeks will test whether the White House can maintain its "nothing to see here" stance. But as someone who's watched these dramas unfold for years, I suspect this story has legs. When it comes to national security breaches, the initial revelation is often just the beginning.

Paul Riverbank reports from Washington, where he's covered national security affairs since 1994.

The Signal That Shook WashingtonIn my three decades covering national security, few stories have left Washington's inner circle as rattled as last week's "Signalgate" revelation. The discovery that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and other senior officials were conducting sensitive discussions about Yemen operations over a commercial messaging app has exposed troubling gaps in White House communications protocol.I spoke with several former NSC staffers who could hardly contain their disbelief. "Using Signal for operational planning? That's Security 101," remarked one Bush-era veteran, requesting anonymity to speak freely. "We wouldn't even discuss lunch orders on unauthorized channels."The breach came to light in an almost comedic fashion - Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg found himself mysteriously added to a high-level Signal chat group. But there's nothing funny about the participants: Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, and others at the apex of American security leadership.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's attempt to declare the matter "closed" on Monday felt premature. Having covered similar controversies, I've noticed a pattern - the faster an administration tries to move on, the deeper the problem usually runs.The timing couldn't be worse. Just weeks ago, CBS News exposed Russian intelligence services' exploitation of Signal vulnerabilities. One intelligence official I spoke with yesterday (who wasn't authorized to comment publicly) called it "a perfect storm of poor judgment."Waltz's distinguished military background - four Bronze Stars and Special Forces service - makes this lapse particularly puzzling. His reputation for meticulous attention to detail seems at odds with such a basic security breach.Meanwhile, the administration keeps pushing forward. Secretary Rubio announced a major counterterrorism win Monday with El Salvador. But in Congressional corridors, the murmurs grow louder. Three separate committees are considering investigations."We can't just shrug this off," Representative Claire McKaskill told me during a brief Capitol Hill encounter. "The precedent it sets is dangerous."Having witnessed countless Washington scandals, I'm struck by how this one differs. It's not about partisan politics or personal misconduct - it's about fundamental national security practices in an age where convenience often trumps caution.The coming weeks will test whether the White House can maintain its "nothing to see here" stance. But as someone who's watched these dramas unfold for years, I suspect this story has legs. When it comes to national security breaches, the initial revelation is often just the beginning.Paul Riverbank reports from Washington, where he's covered national security affairs since 1994.