Signalgate: Mike Waltz Resigns After Classified Data Leak
Mike Waltz, former Florida congressman and U.S. national security adviser, resigned following a scandal involving the leak of classified military information through a Signal app group.
National Security Adviser Michael Waltz makes remarks during an ambassador meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Signalgate: Mike Waltz Resigns After Classified Data Leak
Mike Waltz, former Florida congressman and U.S. national security adviser, resigned following a scandal involving the leak of classified military information through a Signal app group.
On May 1, 2025, Mike Waltz, national security adviser to President Donald Trump, resigned following a scandal involving the leak of classified military information. The incident, dubbed "Signalgate," occurred when Waltz inadvertently added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, to a private Signal app group where sensitive military plans, including strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, were discussed.
Goldberg's presence in the group exposed high-level internal discussions involving figures like Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The disclosure of this information led to intense criticism and raised questions about communication security within the Trump administration.
In addition to Waltz, his deputy, Alex Wong, also left his position. The White House has yet to officially confirm the resignations, but sources indicate that the decision was influenced by internal pressure and the need to restore confidence in the national security team.
Prior to his appointment as national security adviser, Waltz served as a congressman from Florida and had a distinguished military career as a U.S. Army Special Forces officer. He was selected by Trump in November 2024 to lead national security policy, noted for his strong stance against China and unwavering support for Israel.
The "Signalgate" scandal raises concerns about the security of digital communications at high levels of government and underscores the importance of stringent protocols to protect sensitive information.
This incident comes amid escalating tensions in U.S. foreign policy, with the Trump administration pushing for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Waltz had recently issued stern warnings to both countries, urging them to reach an agreement before U.S. patience wore thin.