Arizona Officials Respond to Shockwaves from Signal Group Chat Leak

Arizona’s congressional delegation has voiced a spectrum of reactions to a recent controversy involving the Signal messaging app.

President Donald Trump addressed the leaking of sensitive military plans concerning a strike against Yemen’s Houthis, downplaying the incident as a minor error, calling it “the only glitch in two months” of his administration. He expressed confidence in national security adviser Mike Waltz, despite significant criticisms from Democratic lawmakers.

According to a report from The Atlantic, Waltz unintentionally included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a chat with 18 senior administration officials, discussing the military operation. This mix-up has raised eyebrows, prompting fierce backlash from Democrats, who argued that the administration’s reliance on a public app for sensitive discussions threatens national security.

Arizonan representatives have reacted differently, with some advocating for investigations while others believe the issue has been exaggerated by the media.

U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, a Republican, emphasized the seriousness of national security breaches, asserting that secure communication tools are essential to protect sensitive information. In contrast, U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar dismissed the uproar as a leftist overreaction, pointing out perceived past failures during the Biden administration.

Democratic representatives, however, did not hold back. U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari called the incident a major national security failure, urging bipartisan support for an investigation. Similarly, U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton criticized the use of Signal for discussing military plans, noting that such lapses could endanger lives.

Senator Ruben Gallego also took to social media to express the need for accountability within the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Senator Mark Kelly warned White House staff about the risks associated with using unsecured apps for critical discussions, emphasizing the need for secure systems instead.

12News has reached out to additional members of Congress for comments but has yet to receive responses.