Signalgate was a serious intelligence breach which has highlighted discussions about Chinese and Russian espionage on our telecom networks. It begs the question: What was the extent of the intrusion caused by the NSC officials and how do we prevent attacks on their communications devices? Also, who is going to own up for the responsibility of the unforced error?
The Trump administration’s response to the SNAFU was to deny it was classified, deflect questions about security and deceive the public about responsibility. They would like to have the bungling chat group out of the news cycle, so President Trump is hyping the Greenland takeover.
Russian and Chinese hackers have demonstrated the ability to compromise personal devices with spyware which can read anything sent or received on the Signal app. What else have the NSC officials been discussing on Signal and how do we ensure that such a breach does not occur again? A DOD inspector general investigation has been called for, but Trump has fired that inspector general.
The group discussion on Signal was on an unsecured platform. It was about a bombing campaign in Yemen. The U.S. and NATO countries have been bombing Yemen for years in order to protect commercial shipping from Houthi attacks. President Biden ordered multiple attacks on Yemen in 2024. DOD guidelines make troop movements, military operations and weapons involved classified information before such activities take place.
The Trump administration attacks have gone beyond military targets to facilities and homes of suspected Houthi leaders. There must have been some intelligence sources in Yemen to provide timely targeting information in the attacks. Those sources must be protected. The conflict has been escalated without the president making a speech to Congress or to the public at large. He must explain: Why we are bombing Yemen; the length of the operation; what the end goal is; collateral damage parameters; and the definition of a successful outcome. So far, we have only heard that he does not know what is going on and we should ask the NSC officials about it.
Earlier campaigns to destroy the Houthis by force have not deterred them and have caused extensive civilian casualties. While we are concerned about the fallout from the Signal fiasco, we may also want to know why our military has been ordered to kill people in Yemen.
Don Hiddleson, Millcreek
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