National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to President Donald Trump has repeatedly found himself in hot water, beginning with an uproar from Democrats regarding leaked Signal chats involving national security officials.
However, Trump and his administration have consistently supported national security leaders in public.
Waltz, a former member of the Florida House of Representatives and a decorated Green Beret, has faced criticism from Democrats and opponents since March, following a firsthand account by Atlantic Magazine’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg that was shared in the Signal Group Chat. National Security Leaderincluding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses and CIA director John Ratcliffe led discussions regarding an operation against Yemeni terrorists.
Signal is an encrypted messaging application that operates similarly to texting and calling, but it includes enhanced security features to protect the privacy of the communications involved.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz held accountable for “disgraceful” Signal chat leaks
President Donald Trump suspects that Mike Waltz’s staff may have unintentionally included Atlantic editors in the Signal text chain that was later leaked to the media. (Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
The Atlantic’s report depicted the Trump administration as discussing a “war plan” regarding a proposed strike against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Nevertheless, the Trump administration asserts that no classified material was communicated in the chat, and Trump has continually backed Waltz amid the controversy.
NSC asserts that Mike Waltz and team utilized Gmail for governmental correspondence
“The president has made it abundantly clear that Mike Waltz remains a vital member of his national security team,” Caroline Leavitt of the Trump Administration Press Office stated to reporters outside the White House on Monday afternoon. “And we consider this matter closed here at the White House.”
President Donald Trump and his administration have consistently defended national security adviser Mike Waltz. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“Measures were implemented to make sure incidents like this would not take place again,” she added. “We are progressing forward, and the President, Mike Waltz, and the entire national security team have collaborated effectively.
Trump discloses who was responsible for the Signal text chain leak
Fox News Digital has compiled a timeline of allegations and backlash aimed at Waltz since the initial Atlantic report concerning the chat leaks.
- March 24: The Atlantic publishes a report stating Goldberg was added to a Signal chat, asserting that national security leaders exchanged “war plans” amongst themselves.
- March 25: Trump informs NBC News that he suspects Waltz’s office staff were responsible for accidentally including the Atlantic editor-in-chief in the group chat.
- March 25: Democrats express outrage over the Atlantic article, including Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, a prominent Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, demanding Waltz and Hegses resign.
- March 25: Director of National Intelligence Tarshi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe participated in an annual Senate Intelligence Committee hearing and are reported on.
- March 25: Waltz appears on Fox News and claims he takes “full responsibility” for the Signal chat leak, stating he had “100%” no prior acquaintance with Goldberg before the incident. “Ingraham’s Angle” March 25. “It’s embarrassing. We will get to the bottom of this.
- “I bear complete responsibility. I’ve put this group together,” Waltz mentioned. “Ingraham’s Angle” March 25. “It’s embarrassing. We will uncover the truth.
- March 26: Politico reports that anonymous sources indicate Trump is displeased with Waltz regarding the leak, although the president publicly defends Waltz as “a really good guy.”
- March 26: The Atlantic releases follow-up articles containing direct text from Signal chats, but the headline does not specify “war plan,” instead characterizing it as “attack plan.”
- March 26: Executives accuse The Atlantic’s follow-up pieces of featuring “hoaxes” against Trump. Waltz maintains that the signal messages published in the Atlantic articles did not disclose “locations.” “No sources or methods. No war plans.”
- March 26: Leavitt states that Elon Musk and his team for governmental efficiency will aid in the inquiry into the signal leaks.
- March 28: Politico reveals that Trump dismissed Waltz, wanting to avoid giving the media a scalp.
- March 30: Goldberg appears on NBC News with Kristen Welker and asserts they have never met or discussed the matter.
- March 31: Leavitt announces the signal case is “closed” and reiterates that “Mike Waltz remains an essential member of his national security team.”
- April 1: The Washington Post reports that Waltz and the national security advisor staff will use Gmail for official business. NSC spokesman Brian Hughes rebuts the Washington Post report in a comment to Fox Digital on Thursday, stating they do not use personal email or unsecured platforms for communication. ”
- “This is the most recent attempt to distract Americans from President Trump’s effective national security agenda, which protects our country. Once more, NSA Waltz has received emails and calendar invites from legacy contacts using personal emails, while ensuring record-keeping compliance by receiving CC‘D government accounts from January 20th onwards.
- April 1: House Democrats initiate an investigation into Waltz’s utilization of Gmail.
- April 2: Politico discloses that Waltz’s office will establish at least 20 distinct Signal group chats to coordinate with other officials. The NSC defends Signal’s use on government devices, noting it is an application employed by both the Biden and Trump administrations. “Signal is an approved encrypted messaging app, and asserting that NSC officials transmit sensitive information through these channels is inaccurate. “Some NSC members use Signal, as do various sectors within both the media and federal government. As testified in a Congressional hearing last week, several federal agencies automatically install apps on government devices. Utilizing Signal for sending uncategorized information is acceptable, and these facts have been clarified multiple times recently.
- “Signal is an authorized encrypted messaging application, and claims that NSC officials send sensitive information via these channels are false. They may be used for uncategorized messaging, and it is the users’ responsibility to maintain official records created.” “Certain NSC members utilize the Signal app, as do numerous divisions in the media and federal government. As mentioned in a Congressional hearing last week, specific federal agencies automatically install applications on government devices. It is suitable to utilize Signal for transmitting uncategorized information, and this has been reiterated numerous times in the past few days.
- April 3: The New York Times reports that far-right activist Laura Rumer allegedly presented Trump with a list of national security advisor staff recommended for dismissal due to perceived dishonesty and disloyalty.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will address a meeting in the White House Cabinet Room on March 25, 2025. (Get McNamee/Getty Images)
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Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on the matter but did not receive an immediate response.
