Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) recently stated that the Biden administration reportedly authorized the use of the Signal messaging app for official communications, a decision made before its adoption by top officials in the Trump administration.
While appearing on Fox News, Cotton, who is the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, argued that concerns surrounding Trump officials using Signal are misplaced, as the platform’s use began during the Biden administration.
The discussion gained traction after Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed he had been unintentionally added to a Signal group chat involving Trump officials discussing military strategies against the Houthis.
Subsequently, a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing highlighted key figures in this conversation, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
Cotton remarked that many senators likely use Signal to communicate with each other or their aides, emphasizing that the Biden administration had approved the app as a compliant communication tool under presidential record-keeping guidelines. He compared Signal to other messaging platforms, asserting its legitimacy as a tool for senior officials to communicate efficiently.
The revelations from the Signal group chat raised questions about the future of National Security Advisor Mike Waltz within the administration.
President Trump responded to speculation about Waltz being dismissed, asserting that he would not be fired and labeling the Signal group as a “mistake,” while downplaying the significance of the messages exchanged.
Goldberg indicated that sensitive information shared in the Signal chat could potentially jeopardize U.S. military and intelligence personnel in the Middle East if disclosed, although he did not publicize the specific contents of those messages.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding secure communications among government officials.
[READ MORE: Trump Dismisses Liberal Hysteria in Wake of Signal Chat Leak]
