The ongoing controversy surrounding the leaked Signal war chat took another twist on Wednesday as former President Donald Trump and his administration continued to offer conflicting statements about whether the compromised messages contained classified information. The back-and-forth responses have only fueled speculation and confusion over what really happened and who should be held accountable.
During a press briefing at the White House on Wednesday night, Trump appeared uncertain when asked whether the message chain included classified material. His response lacked the confidence he had displayed just a day earlier. “Well, that’s what I’ve heard,” he admitted. “I don’t know. I’m not sure. You’ll have to ask the various people involved. I really don’t know.” This marked a stark contrast from his earlier statements where he had strongly denied any classified content in the chat.
Just a night before, during a Newsmax interview, Trump seemed much more certain about the matter. “Now, it wasn’t classified, as I understand it,” he said. “There was no classified information. There was no problem, and the attack was a tremendous success. So I can only go by what I’ve been told. I wasn’t involved in it, but I was told by—and the other people weren’t involved at all. But I feel very comfortable, actually.” This wavering stance has only added to the controversy.
Meanwhile, The Atlantic published previously unreleased portions of the chat on Wednesday, revealing that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had disclosed the timeline of planned strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, as well as details about the aircraft involved. This revelation has drawn sharp criticism from national security experts and lawmakers alike.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who testified before Congress on Tuesday, claimed that no classified information had been shared. However, seasoned national security officials pushed back against that assertion. Mick Mulroy, a former CIA paramilitary officer and Marine Corps veteran, told The Washington Post, “This information was clearly taken from the real-time order of battle sequence of an ongoing operation. It is highly classified and protected.”
Mulroy, who also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East during the first Trump administration, further emphasized the severity of the situation. “Next to nuclear and covert operations, this information is the most protected,” he stated. His comments contradict the administration’s efforts to downplay the leak’s significance.
Trump’s evolving statements aren’t the only source of mixed messaging. During his Newsmax interview on Tuesday, he contradicted National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who had previously denied responsibility for inviting journalist Jeffrey Goldberg into the Signal chat. Trump, however, pointed fingers at “somebody that was with Mike Waltz, worked for Mike Waltz at a lower level.” This apparent blame-shifting has only deepened the controversy.
Adding to the inconsistencies, Trump defended Hegseth on Wednesday, insisting, “He had nothing to do with this,” despite Hegseth’s direct role in sharing sensitive strike plans. At the same time, Hegseth himself continued to deny any wrongdoing. As late as Wednesday afternoon, he was still refuting claims that war plans had been shared via text. “One more time... I see war plans every single day. No one is texting war plans,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
However, the White House National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the message chain on Monday, more than 48 hours before Hegseth’s latest denial. This acknowledgment has only fueled calls for accountability, particularly from Democratic lawmakers who are outraged over the alleged breach of security protocols.
Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois didn’t mince words when addressing Hegseth’s involvement. “Pete Hegseth is a f---ing liar. This is so clearly classified info he recklessly leaked that could’ve gotten our pilots killed,” she declared. “He needs to resign in disgrace immediately.”
The fallout from this scandal continues to unfold, with more questions than answers. The conflicting statements from Trump, Hegseth, and Waltz have only deepened the confusion surrounding the leak. As national security experts and lawmakers demand accountability, the Biden administration and Congress may soon be forced to take further action.
One thing is clear: the debate over classified information, national security, and political responsibility is far from over. Whether or not any resignations or legal consequences follow remains to be seen, but the pressure on the administration is mounting with each passing day.
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