Mike Waltz's Use of Signal Before His Removal

Former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz was seen utilizing the Signal messaging app during a Cabinet session on Wednesday. This occurred just a day prior to President Trump's announcement that Waltz would be succeeded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

A Reuters photographer captured the image of Waltz's screen, revealing that he was engaged in text conversations with individuals such as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary Rubin, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, and Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy for Trump.

Change in National Security Leadership

In defense of Waltz’s application use, Steven Cheung, the White House Communications Director, stated that Signal is sanctioned for use on governmental mobile devices and appreciated the attention given to this matter.

Mike Waltz was previously criticized in March when he accidentally included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg from The Atlantic in a Signal group with other security officials, including Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Within this group, they talked about a U.S. terrorist operation in Yemen.

Signal's Use and Oversight Issues

Waltz expressed uncertainty about Goldberg's inclusion in the chat, ensuring that no classified information was compromised. Despite calls for his dismissal, Trump supported Waltz.

Trump later announced Waltz's appointment as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, with Rubio temporarily taking over as the national security adviser while maintaining his Secretary of State duties.

Insiders disclosed to ABC News that President Trump's frustration with Waltz was growing, largely due to the controversy surrounding his use of Signal.

Concerns Over Signal in Government Use

Although officially Signal is allowed for use, the Department of Defense previously criticized a former official's use of it in 2021, highlighting violations of communication and archival rules.

Acting Inspector General of the Department of Defense, Steven Stebbins, recently declared an investigation into Defense Secretary Hegseth's Signal use during the Yemen mission. There is confirmation of a second probe into Hegseth's communication with family members regarding attack timing.

The Wall Street Journal initially reported the expanded probe.

The investigation aims to evaluate compliance with DoD messaging rules and ensure proper classification and record-keeping practices were followed, according to a statement.

Efforts by Democrats in Congress to scrutinize the Signal exchange related to the Yemen strike have faced obstruction from Republican leaders.