Gabbard Denies Classified Info Leak Amid Signal Chat Controversy

During a recent House Intelligence Committee hearing, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe defended the Trump administration against claims of a classified information leak following a Signal chat that inadvertently included a journalist. Gabbard admitted it was a mistake for the reporter to be added but maintained that no classified information was shared, despite a transcript from The Atlantic revealing that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed specific details about imminent military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. While Gabbard described the conversation as candid and sensitive, she emphasized that the authority to classify information lies with Hegseth. The administration's response has notably shifted blame towards the journalist involved rather than addressing potential security lapses. This situation contrasts sharply with previous reactions from Republicans to Hillary Clinton's email server controversy, where the focus was on security integrity. As the National Security Council reviews the incident, the implications of this leak continue to unfold.