A Signal group chat that accidentally included a prominent journalist has become a lightning rod for partisan accusations, even though officials insist that no classified material was ever shared. At a Senate hearing this week, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe both told lawmakers that national security had not been compromised.
The incident began when Atlantic Editor Jeffrey Goldberg was reportedly added to the Signal chat by mistake. He later published claims suggesting the chat included information on potential military operations and the identity of an intelligence officer. But top intelligence officials say those claims have no basis in fact.
No classified material.
That is the end of the discussion. Move on Dems— Steve Brown (@J_Steve_Brown) March 25, 2025
Ratcliffe told senators that he was in the chat and that the CIA had approved Signal for agency use. He said Signal was installed on his official CIA computer when he took office and that staff had cleared it for work communications.
Gabbard declined to confirm whether she had participated in the chat but stated repeatedly that no classified content had been shared. She said the matter is still under internal review and refused to provide the messages to the committee.
Why can’t he allow them to answer? Without interruption
— Ms.G (@GSchifanelli) March 25, 2025
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) used the hearing to pressure both officials for access to the messages. He cited a previous post by Gabbard that warned of legal consequences for unauthorized classified leaks. Gabbard replied that such warnings referred to intentional leaks, not situations where no sensitive information had been shared in the first place.
Critics have questioned the political motivations behind the push to portray the chat as a serious breach. Some Democrats have called for Pete Hegseth, who was reportedly involved in the group, to step down from his role, despite no evidence of wrongdoing.
Ratcliffe reiterated that discussions using Signal were in line with CIA policy and did not involve classified data. He emphasized that the agency had briefed him on the tool’s approved use when he assumed his post.
Though Goldberg claimed operational details were exchanged, no confirmation has been given about whether the content he saw was sensitive or already public.
