Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard looks on, on the day she testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 25, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) questioned top intelligence officials from President Donald Trump's administration in a Tuesday hearing about their discussions in a Signal chat that may have revealed classified information.
A bombshell report in The Atlantic revealed that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared war plans in the chat that included a reporter among its membership.
The story reveals the chat likely involved classified military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.
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When discussing the matter in the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Kelly questioned Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe about whether the Signal discussion made mention of any targets in Yemen. He questioned whether they discussed any weapons or weapons systems.
After probing the specifics in the Signal chat, Kelly asked whether they were aware of a key Defense Department policy that deals explicitly with platforms like Signal.
"So, I understand that DOD policy prohibits discussion of even what is called Controlled Unclassified Information or CUI on unsecured devices," said Kelly. "Are both of you aware of that DOD policy?"
"I haven't read that policy," said Gabbard.
"Not familiar with the DOD policy, but I would say that the Secretary of Defense is the original classification authority for the DOD and decides what would be classified information," said Ratcliffe.
Kelly then asked whether the intelligence committee has a similar policy that prohibits the discussion of CUI.
"Yes," answered Gabbard.
"Okay, Controlled Unclassified Information, according to DOD, includes information that is — information that has not been approved for public release. Would you — of what's been disclosed publicly of the Signal chain, would either of you feel that that would be approved for public release, Miss Gabbard?"
Gabbard restated that it was a discussion among national security leaders. Kelly asked her again, "yes or no," but she responded, "I don't feel I can answer that question here."
See the exchange below or at the link here.
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