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Sen. Adam Schiff Calls for Investigation into Trump Administration’s Use of Signal Messaging
Senator Adam Schiff, a prominent Democrat from California, has urged the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to investigate the use of Signal and similar third-party messaging applications by officials from the Trump administration. In his advocacy, Schiff emphasized the need for robust record preservation practices, signaling concerns over both national security and compliance with document retention laws.
In a detailed letter released on Monday, Schiff called for immediate action to preserve records stemming from communications carried out via these encrypted messaging platforms. He highlighted that the ephemeral nature of such applications could lead to significant issues with recordkeeping.
Schiff specifically urged NARA to reach out to all federal agencies where personnel may have used Signal to ensure that complete records are maintained. “It is paramount that NARA ensure that all messages have been archived as per legal requirements,” he stated. His communication also emphasized the responsibility of federal personnel to forward any relevant messages to their official email accounts before automatic deletions occur.
The senator’s letter follows a report from The New York Times, which detailed an instance involving Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The report revealed that Hegseth had shared information related to military strikes in Yemen through Signal, communicating with individuals including his wife and personal attorney.
In defense of Hegseth, Trump and his allies rallied on Monday, with the Defense Secretary criticizing the media response to the reported incident. Hegseth expressed indignation, characterizing the media’s reporting as an orchestrated reaction following the firing of whistleblowers, referencing previous narratives surrounding alleged Russian interference.
The nature of Hegseth’s communications on Signal became even more scrutinized following a slip-up by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who inadvertently included a journalist in a Signal chat that ultimately led to articles being published about the sensitive information shared regarding military operations against the Houthi rebels.
In light of these developments, the acting inspector general of the Defense Department, Steven Stebbins, has initiated a review to determine whether Hegseth adhered to established DOD policies concerning the use of Signal, especially given that the communication included several high-ranking Trump administration officials.
Schiff’s letter cautioned that beyond the immediate national security implications, utilizing messaging applications like Signal introduces considerable risk regarding compliance with documentation practices due to their design, which allows messages to be configured for automatic deletion. He reiterated the necessity for NARA to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all relevant communications involving senior officials across various agencies and to evaluate existing guidelines on the lawful use of such messaging services.
Source
thehill.com