Trump officials sued after using Signal to discuss Houthi attack plans
A watchdog group, American Oversight, has filed a lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top officials from the Trump management for allegedly violating federal record-keeping laws. The lawsuit stems from the use of the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss U.S. military actions, particularly airstrike plans against Houthi targets in Yemen, after a journalist inadvertently joined the discussion. the lawsuit claims that these officials failed to preserve official communications, in violation of the Federal Records Act, as the messages were subject to automatic deletion.
The complaint references a recent article by Atlantic editor Jeffrey goldberg, who revealed details of the conversation, wich included specifics on military operations. The case also highlights the involvement of several high-ranking officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who bears legal responsibility for addressing the records breach as the acting archivist.
Democrats have criticized the incident, describing it as a meaningful security breach and calling for resignations. during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, officials asserted that classified data was not shared, and the use of the app was deemed permissible. However, concerns remain about the implications of discussing military strategy via unsecured platforms. President Trump acknowledged the situation, suggesting that while the administration might use Signal in the future, it may be limited.
Trump officials sued over Signal text records
A watchdog group sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top Trump administration officials on Tuesday, alleging they violated federal record-keeping laws by using the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss alleged U.S. “war plans” after a journalist was accidentally added to their chat.
The lawsuit from American Oversight seeks a court ruling that Hegseth and others broke the Federal Records Act by failing to preserve official communications. It follows a striking Atlantic report by Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who revealed he was inadvertently added to a Signal thread in which Hegseth discussed airstrike plans on Houthi targets in Yemen.
“Defendants, in their capacities as agency heads for their respective agencies, know or reasonably should know that the communications in the Signal chat constitute ‘records’ under the FRA,” American Oversight wrote in an 18-page complaint, noting that the alleged messages — some were presented as screenshots in Goldberg’s reporting — were subject to automatic deletion in the coming days.
American Oversight pointed out that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also appeared on the Signal chat and is named in the lawsuit, is currently the acting archivist, giving him the legal responsibility to address the records breach.
“Defendants, as members of the Signal chat, know or reasonably should know that one or more messages in the Signal chat were or remain subject to automatic deletion in violation of the FRA and implementing rules and regulations of Defendants’ respective agencies,” the complaint said.
The chat included top officials such as national security adviser Mike Waltz, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Vice President JD Vance. Goldberg said Hegseth at one point declared the group was “clean on OPSEC,” even while posting specific strike sequencing, targets, and weapon systems. The White House confirmed the chat’s authenticity Monday.
Some Democrats are now demanding resignations. “This is one of the dumbest security breaches in American history,” said Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who called for Hegseth, Waltz, Gabbard, and special envoy Steve Witkoff to step down. “It might have jeopardized the lives of Americans serving in harm’s way.”
During a tense Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Tuesday, Gabbard and Ratcliffe insisted no classified material was shared. Ratcliffe also noted the use of Signal was “permissible” and “lawful,” pointing to its use by Biden administration.
Still, Democrats pressed them on whether military strike planning could ever be considered unclassified. “Make no mistake, these actions make America less safe,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) said.
RATCLIFFE: SIGNAL WAS APPROVED FOR COMMUNICATION USE BY BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
President Donald Trump, asked Tuesday if his administration would continue using Signal, appeared to shy away from his Cabinet using the app in the future but said certain situations may call for it.
“I don’t think we’ll probably be using it very much,” Trump said before noting, “We may be forced to use it; you may be in a situation where you need speed instead of gross safety.”
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