CIA director says new Signal texts show he ‘did not transmit classified info’

CIA Director John Ratcliffe addressed the recent publication of Signal chat texts by The Atlantic during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats. Ratcliffe emphasized that the texts revealing so-called “attack plans” targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels did not contain classified information.

Ratcliffe explained that he had spent four hours answering questions from senators regarding the article, which suggested he transmitted classified information through hidden messages. However, the messages in question revealed that he did not transmit any classified information. Ratcliffe also clarified that he did not release the name of an undercover CIA operative in the Signal chat, but rather the name of his chief of staff who was not operating undercover.

The CIA Director stressed that he used appropriate channels to communicate sensitive information, and the mission was a remarkable success. He urged everyone to focus on the outcome of the mission rather than what could have potentially happened. Ratcliffe’s remarks came after The Atlantic published additional texts concerning the attack on Houthi targets, detailing the timeline of the operation.

In the messages, one participant mentioned the launch of F-18s and strike drones, as well as the timing of the strikes. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard confirmed during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing that there was no classified material in the messages. However, she faced questioning from Ranking Member Jim Himes about her memory of the details in the Signal chat.

During the Senate hearing, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, noted that there were operational details in the Signal messages. In response to the leak, some Congressional Democrats, including Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Jason Crow, called for the resignation of Secretary of State Pete Hegseth.

Overall, the controversy surrounding the Signal chat texts has sparked a debate over secure communications within the Trump administration. The calls for accountability and transparency continue as lawmakers seek to address the implications of the leak. It remains crucial for government officials to uphold the security protocols and safeguard classified information in their communications.