Signal leak live: national security adviser plays down seriousness of attack details in newly released messages | Trump administration

The director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, said on Wednesday’s hearing that “it was a mistake” that a journalist was inadvertently included in a Signal chat with top national security officials discussing imminent strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. She doubled down on the claim that no classified information was discussed in the chat.

“The president and national adviser Waltz held a press conference with a clear message. It was a mistake that a reporter was inadvertently added to a Signal chat with high-level national security principles having a policy discussion about imminent strikes against the Houthis and the effects of the strike,” she said.

“National security adviser has taken full responsibility for this, and the National Security Council is conducting an in depth review, along with tech, technical experts working to determine how this reporter was inadvertently added to this chat,” she added.

“The conversation was candid and sensitive, but as the president, national security adviser stated, no classified information was shared. There were no sources, methods, locations or war plans that were shared. This was a standard update to the national security cabinet that was provided alongside updates that were given to foreign partners in the region,” Gabbard said.

Gabbard said that the messaging app Signal “comes pre-installed on government devices”.

“Ideally, these conversations occur in person. However, at times, fast-moving coordination of an unclassified nature is necessary, or in person, conversation is not an option.”