Mike Waltz expected to resign after Signal chat controversy

In the United States, national security adviser Mike Waltz is poised to leave his position following a controversy involving his use of a Signal messaging app group. This incident occurred in March when Waltz inadvertently included The Atlantic's editor Jeffrey Goldberg in a group chat where key Trump administration officials discussed military actions in Yemen. The group consisted of prominent figures like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, CIA Director Scott Ratcliff, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, all of whom exchanged sensitive information about pending military strikes. The blunder led to public scrutiny and calls for Waltz's resignation as lawmakers expressed concern over the security implications of sharing war plans with a journalist. Details revealed in the chat reportedly included explicit information pertaining to weapons packages, targets, and specific timing for attacks on Houthi forces in Yemen, which were executed shortly after the discussion. Despite President Donald Trump's initial defense of Waltz, stating he had confidence in his team, the political pressure resulted in Waltz's anticipated exit from his role. Alongside Waltz, deputy national security adviser Alex Wong is also expected to leave the White House. This is significant as it marks the first major official departure from the Trump administration following the commencement of the President's second term earlier in January. The controversy highlights ongoing issues within the administration regarding the handling of sensitive information and the appropriate channels for communication among high-ranking officials. While President Trump noted that Waltz was doing fine in his job during discussions with the media, the Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested that the focus should be on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth due to his handling of sensitive information and use of the Signal app. Hegseth faced accusations of mishandling information when he shared details about the military strikes not only with the group but also sent similar information to his wife and other personal contacts. As the situation unfolds, it underscores the critical nature of communication protocols in matters of national security in the Trump administration.