Dem Senator Seeks Waltz And Hegseth's Resignations Over Classified Information Leak

New Delhi: Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, called for the resignation of National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following a leak of classified information. 

Warner hit out at the Trump administration’s use of a Signal group chat to discuss sensitive plans for military action in Yemen, stressing the failure to protect classified material and the lack of proper protocols. 

National Security Breach on Signal App

Warner’s call for resignation stems from a revelation made by Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, who disclosed that he was added to a Signal group chat with several top Trump administration national security officials. 

Goldberg revealed that the group shared detailed plans about the military action in Yemen, including information on timing and weapons systems.

The discussion took place over the Signal app, which is often used for secure communications. However, Warner stressed on the grave error of discussing classified material on an unclassified platform like Signal, pointing out that these officials failed to ensure security and hygiene in their communications. The leak, according to Warner, was a significant lapse in security protocols.

During the hearing, Warner did not mince words, describing the behavior of Waltz and Hegseth as “sloppy, careless, and incompetent.” 

He pointed out that any military or intelligence officer engaging in such behavior would face immediate dismissal. 

"Classified information should never be discussed over an unclassified system," Warner said. He referred to the failure of officials to recognize that a journalist had been added to the Signal group, a glaring oversight in safeguarding national security information.

Warner's Call for Resignations

In a direct appeal for accountability, Warner took to social media platform X, demanding that both Waltz and Hegseth resign from their positions. "When the stakes are this high, incompetence is not an option. Pete Hegseth should resign. Mike Waltz should resign," Warner said. 

Warner also reminded the committee that every member of the intelligence community is briefed on the importance of secure communication channels, such as SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities), which are designed to handle classified discussions. "Everybody on this committee gets briefed on security protocols. They’re told you don’t make calls outside of SCIFs," Warner noted. 

The senator expressed deep concern about the erosion of trust within the intelligence community and among America's global allies. He warned that the damage done by such breaches would not be easily undone, saying, “The erosion of trust... can’t be put back in the bottle overnight.”

Warner stressed that these kinds of security lapses make America more vulnerable to external threats. "Make no mistake: These actions make America less safe," he added.