Intelligence Officials Testify Before Senate Committee

Top intelligence officials from the Trump administration, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, appeared before the Senate intelligence committee on Tuesday. The officials were questioned about a Signal group chat that accidentally included the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, Jeffrey Goldberg. The chat reportedly discussed plans to bomb Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Officials Insist No Classified Information Was Shared

Ratcliffe and Gabbard testified that none of the information discussed in the group chat was classified. However, they refused to share the details of the conversation or give permission for Goldberg to share the information with the public. The officials’ responses raised questions about the nature of the information shared in the chat and whether it was sensitive or classified.

Senate Committee Members Press for Answers

Democratic members of the committee, including Senators Mark Warner, Jack Reed, and Michael Bennet, pressed Ratcliffe and Gabbard for answers about the group chat. Gabbard refused to acknowledge whether she was involved in the chat, citing an ongoing review by the National Security Council. Ratcliffe insisted that the information discussed was not classified, but declined to provide further details.

Heated Exchange Between Senators and Officials

A heated exchange ensued between the senators and the officials, with Warner asking Gabbard to share the text of the conversation if it was not classified. Gabbard refused, stating that the matter was under review. Reed also asked Gabbard if she was using an official government-issued phone or her personal device during the chat, but she declined to answer.

New Developments Emerge

The hearing also revealed that one of the participants in the group chat, top Trump advisor Steve Witkoff, was in Moscow meeting with Vladimir Putin while the chat was taking place. This new information raised further questions about the nature of the conversation and the potential implications for national security.

Calls for Resignation and Investigation

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden called for the resignation of top officials, including the national security advisor and the secretary of defense, citing potential crimes committed. However, it remains unclear whether the secretary of defense will face any consequences.

Contradictory Statements

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied that anyone was texting war plans, contradicting Goldberg’s reporting. Hegseth also attacked Goldberg’s credibility, calling him a "deceitful and highly discredited" journalist. However, Goldberg’s reporting has been proven accurate on several occasions, including stories about Trump’s ties to Russia and his comments on military veterans.

Trump Defends His Officials

Trump defended his officials, telling NBC News that the national security advisor’s job was safe for now. Trump downplayed the incident, stating that it was a minor glitch and not a serious breach.

Calls for Accountability

David French, a New York Times Opinion columnist and former Army officer, published a piece calling for Hegseth’s immediate resignation. French argued that a security breach like this would normally result in instant consequences and potentially criminal charges. The incident has raised questions about the accountability of top officials and the need for greater transparency in government.