Democrats Call for Hegseth’s Resignation Over Signal Strike Leak/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning EDition/ Democrats are demanding the resignation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after The Atlantic published Signal chat messages showing he shared detailed U.S. military strike plans in real time, including launch timings and weapons used, in a group that mistakenly included a journalist. Lawmakers argue the leak jeopardized national security and could have endangered American lives, despite Trump administration officials, including DNI Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, insisting no classified information was shared. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has taken responsibility for the breach, while President Trump and GOP leaders continue to defend the team but acknowledge the need for accountability.
QUICK LOOK:
- Democrats say Signal leak jeopardized U.S. lives
- Hegseth under pressure for sharing strike plans during live operation
- Atlantic’s screenshots reveal detailed military information
- Trump, GOP leaders defend team but urge accountability
Democrats Call for Hegseth’s Resignation Over Signal Strike Leak
DEEP LOOK
WASHINGTON, March 26 (AP) — Top Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee are demanding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth resign following revelations that he shared sensitive military strike details via the encrypted Signal app in a group chat that included a journalist.
“There can be no fixes, no corrections until there is accountability,” said Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO). “Hegseth must resign immediately.”
Screenshots published by The Atlantic showed Hegseth texting real-time updates about U.S. airstrikes on Houthi militants in Yemen earlier this month, including launch times, weapons platforms, and strike sequencing.
“This Is Classified Information”
Democrats slammed assertions by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that the messages did not include classified data.
“This is classified information — a weapons system, sequencing, operational details,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL). “He [Hegseth] needs to resign immediately.”
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) warned the exposure could have put U.S. pilots in danger:
“It’s by the awesome grace of God that we are not mourning dead pilots today.”
Gabbard, Waltz Say Journalist’s Inclusion Was “A Mistake”
Gabbard admitted the group chat featured “candid and sensitive” discussion but maintained that no classified info was shared.
“It was a mistake that a reporter was inadvertently added,” she said.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who created the group chat, took full responsibility and insisted that “no classified material” was discussed.
Still, lawmakers noted that Signal’s vulnerabilities are well known. Both NSA Director Gen. Timothy Haugh and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Gen. Jeffrey Kruse confirmed in testimony that their agencies had issued advisories about the app’s use.
Pentagon: “No War Plans Shared” — Despite Screenshots
The Pentagon acknowledged that Hegseth shared details while the Yemen operation was in progress. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell denied those details were classified.
“This confirms there were no classified materials shared,” Parnell said. “The Secretary was updating on a mission already underway and briefed through official channels.”
But critics weren’t convinced. The screenshots showed Hegseth describing launch times and weapons systems down to the minute.
“The emojis in those texts — punch emojis, fire emojis — show a lack of seriousness,” Rep. Himes said. “This was not sober national security communication.”
White House, Trump Stand by Team — But GOP Urges “Owning Mistakes”
President Donald Trump, speaking to Fox News, defended his security team and called the situation “a glitch,” saying no classified plans were sent.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) encouraged officials to take responsibility:
“They made a mistake, they know it. They should own it and fix it so it never happens again.”
Still, Thune declined to say whether he believed Hegseth’s version of events, noting only that “the strike was executed flawlessly.”
Democrats Push for DOJ Probe
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Senate Democrats sent a letter to Trump calling for a Justice Department investigation into how The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg was added to the chat.
“This was astonishingly poor judgment,” the senators wrote.
The DOJ has declined to comment.
Context: Trump Invokes Wartime Law Amid Venezuela Tensions
In related testimony, CIA Director Ratcliffe said the agency has “no assessment” indicating that the U.S. is at war with Venezuela — despite Trump invoking the Alien Enemies Act to deport members of the Tren de Aragua gang, citing “hostile actions” by the Maduro regime.
What’s Next?
- Hegseth faces mounting bipartisan scrutiny, though Trump continues to back him.
- The Signal app’s use in national security settings may be reevaluated across agencies.
- A full investigation into the security breach appears likely.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.