‘Careless Behavior’: Senator Warner Rips Tulsi Gabbard Over Signal Group Chat | WATCH

New Delhi: During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Tuesday, Senator Mark Warner , the committee’s Vice Chair, sharply hit out at Tulsi Gabbard, the National Intelligence Director, for her refusal to address a leaked Signal group chat. This chat allegedly contained detailed plans about U.S. military action in Yemen, a matter of significant national security concern. 

The leak, according to Warner, could have compromised U.S. national security and potentially resulted in the loss of American lives.

Warner's Harsh Critique: “Sloppy, Careless, Incompetent Behavior”

After Gabbard refused to confirm or deny her participation in the Signal chat, Warner blasted her for what he described as "sloppy, careless, incompetent behavior." 

He expressed disbelief that high-ranking officials would fail to properly vet the participants of a sensitive national security discussion. Warner stated, “It’s also just mind-boggling to me… nobody bothered to even check… who are all the names.”

Warner further emphasized that this wasn’t a one-off mistake but part of a disturbing pattern of mishandling classified information. He also made it clear that such behavior would have led to immediate termination if committed by military or intelligence officers, adding, “If this was the case of a military officer or an intelligence officer and they had this kind of behavior, they would be fired.”

The Signal Group Chat Leak

The controversy erupted when The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed that he had been added to a Signal group chat with several senior Trump administration officials, including Gabbard. 

According to Goldberg, the chat contained details about an upcoming military strike on Houthi forces in Yemen, including weapons systems, timing, and other sensitive data.

Warner pointed out that discussing such classified information over a messaging platform like Signal, which isn’t fully secured, was a critical lapse in judgment. He stressed that classified material should never be shared outside of secure communication channels like SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities).

John Ratcliffe and Kash Patel Respond to Warner’s Questions

When questioned by Warner about whether any investigations would be launched into the leak, John Ratcliffe, Director of the CIA, confirmed his participation in the Signal chat. However, he defended the discussion, asserting that it was “entirely permissible and lawful” and did not include classified information. 

Kash Patel, the FBI’s Deputy Director, was also asked whether the bureau would investigate the leak further. He admitted that he had just been briefed about the incident but offered no further details, promising an update by the end of the day.

Warner's Call for Resignations

The scandal surrounding the Signal leak prompted Warner to call for the resignations of National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Warner criticized the lack of safeguards and protocols, which he said allowed for the breach of classified material. 

On social media platform X, Warner wrote, “When the stakes are this high, incompetence is not an option. Pete Hegseth should resign. Mike Waltz should resign.”