Bipartisan Fury: Senators Demand Pentagon Probe Into Signal Leak Scandal

 

In a rare show of cross-party unity, Senate Armed Services leaders have called on the Pentagon’s acting inspector general, Steven Stebbins, to investigate a scandal that has rocked national security. The inquiry centers on how Jeffrey Goldberg, the Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, was added to a Signal group chat that reportedly included members of the National Security Council and discussed classified details of U.S. airstrikes in Yemen.

The Controversial Chat

On 11 March 2025, Goldberg was reportedly included in a Signal group chat that contained sensitive information about military operations in Yemen. In their bipartisan letter, Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island raised serious concerns over the use of a commercial messaging app to share classified details. “If true, this reporting raises questions as to the use of unclassified networks to discuss sensitive and classified information, as well as the sharing of such information with those who do not have proper clearance and need to know,” the senators wrote.

What the Senators Are Demanding

The letter, addressed to Stebbins, outlines a series of demands:

• A thorough assessment of the facts and any remedial actions taken.

• A summary of Pentagon policies regarding breaches of classified information.

• An evaluation of whether other departments have different protocols.

• An analysis to determine if classified information was indeed leaked via the Signal chat.

• Recommendations to address any potential vulnerabilities.

The senators have also scheduled a briefing with Stebbins, emphasizing their commitment to uncovering the truth behind this serious breach.

Denials and Downplays

Key figures implicated in setting up the chat have denied any wrongdoing. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who initiated the Signal chat and added Goldberg, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—who shared details including the timing of a planned airstrike on Houthi targets—both rejected allegations and instead attacked Goldberg and The Atlantic.

Despite the controversy, President Trump appears reluctant to make any personnel changes, even as both Democrats and some Republicans on Capitol Hill express their outrage. Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota told CNN, “We recognize the seriousness of this indiscretion, and we’re going to get the inspector general’s report we’ve asked for … and then we’ll do our own assessment.” Rounds added that the misstep was a significant error that the responsible parties should not repeat.

National Security Concerns

The fallout from the incident has raised alarm among national security experts. Former CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told CNN that including a journalist in a high-level chat discussing classified military actions is a “serious breach” of national security. Panetta warned that those most responsible should face severe consequences, questioning whether U.S. allies would feel confident sharing sensitive information with a government that can’t secure its own communications.

The Road Ahead

As the investigation unfolds, the Pentagon’s response and potential policy changes will be closely scrutinized. With bipartisan pressure mounting and national security hanging in the balance, the outcome of this probe could have far-reaching implications for how sensitive information is managed in the digital age.

Stay tuned as we follow this developing story and the search for accountability in what many are calling a dangerous lapse in safeguarding classified information.