U.S. Lawmakers Grill Intelligence Chiefs Over Leaked War Plans on Signal

In a dramatic Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Washington's top intelligence officials faced intense questioning over their involvement in a group chat that leaked potential military plans against the Houthi militant group in Yemen. The chat, shared over the encrypted app Signal, inadvertently included Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg, which led to renewed scrutiny over the safeguarding of intelligence practices. Democrats and Independents on the committee were particularly vocal, criticizing the 'sloppy' handling of sensitive information. The questioned officials, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, insisted no classified information was shared, yet the revelations have sparked a demand for accountability, with some lawmakers calling for resignations. The implications of the chat—potentially readable by adversaries—spotlight vulnerabilities in digital communication tools used by government officials. Critics argue that such blunders could harm American military and intelligence interests. As the debate continues, the need for robust digital security protocols and training within national security frameworks becomes more apparent.