Washington, D.C. – A top U.S. senator is calling for a fast investigation into a leaked Signal group chat where high-level Trump officials discussed sensitive military plans to strike Yemen. The leak, which included screenshots of the chat, has shocked political circles in Washington this week.
Senator Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on Wednesday that he and Senator Jack Reed, the committee’s top Democrat, are working together to request a formal probe into how the private conversations were leaked.
What Was in the Signal Chat?
Earlier this week, Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed that he had been accidentally added to the Signal group, where top Trump administration officials shared information about U.S. airstrikes in Yemen.
On Wednesday, The Atlantic published screenshots from the chat showing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussing operational details like:
- When fighter jets would take off
- What weapons would be used
- Where the targets were
Although the administration has said no classified information was shared, some experts and lawmakers are skeptical, given the sensitive nature of the messages.
Senate Panel Wants Action
Senator Wicker told reporters that he and Reed are writing two letters to the administration. The first one will:
- Request a classified briefing
- Ask for a fast investigation by the Defense Department’s Inspector General (IG)
- Seek clarity on Signal chat records and security protocols
The second letter will ask for the truth behind the chat messages and whether the published screenshots are accurate.
Wicker said they expect to finalize the letters by the end of the week, although discussions are still ongoing.
Concerns About Classified Info
Wicker said that, based on what he read in the leaked texts, he believes the content should have been classified. Intelligence officials, however, continue to claim the chat did not contain classified material.
This disagreement has led to questions about how secure communication systems are being used by high-level officials.
Who Is Investigating?
The Pentagon’s Inspector General’s office is currently being led by Steven Stebbins, an acting official. The Trump administration had fired the previous IG shortly after taking office.
Despite the vacancy, Wicker said he trusts that the Pentagon will follow through with the investigation.
No Resignation for Hegseth
Senator Wicker defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying he does not believe Hegseth should resign over the leak. He added that there was no major damage, and the mission itself was a success.
“The plans were not exposed to enemies,” Wicker said. “If mistakes were made, they should be acknowledged. We’re all human.”
The leaked group chat discussing a U.S. military strike in Yemen has sparked serious concerns about security, communication, and responsibility. Senators from both parties are now calling for a thorough investigation to understand how such sensitive information was shared in a casual messaging app.
As the situation unfolds, many are watching to see if this will lead to tighter rules on how top government officials communicate sensitive matters.