Key Points:

• The Trump administration’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, set up at least 20 Signal chats to discuss sensitive international issues.
• Criticism arises over the use of the encrypted messaging app for military planning details.
• Concerns are amplified as discussions included classified information regarding military operations and international policies.

The team led by U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, has been found to have established over 20 group chats on the Signal app to manage discussions on various global issues including China, Gaza, and Middle East policies, according to reports from South China Morning Post and HuffPost.

This revelation follows a backlash against Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for utilizing Signal, known for its encryption, to share sensitive information regarding a military operation targeting the Houthis in Yemen. The discourse surrounding these communications has raised alarms regarding the bypassing of secure government channels.

According to a report from Reuters, four sources have confirmed information was discussed in these chats that could compromise national security. Two individuals shared insights about the group chats indicating that the discussions could involve highly sensitive topics.

The controversy intensified after an incident where a journalist was mistakenly added to a group chat discussing a military airstrike in Yemen, which has led to calls for accountability within the administration. Despite Trump expressing frustration over Waltz's handling of communications, he has thus far opted to maintain his support for the national security adviser.

Furthermore, allegations emerged that Waltz and other officials used personal Gmail accounts for government correspondence, potentially violating federal record-keeping regulations, as highlighted in reports by various news outlets. Critics are now urging an independent investigation into the matter.

Waltz's team asserts that Signal is an approved encrypted messaging app for unclassified communications, arguing compliance with necessary record-preservation standards amidst the growing pressure for transparency regarding their operational protocols.