Trump Axes Security Adviser Mike Waltz After Signal Chat Leaks War Plans—Because Encrypted Apps Are Only Safe Until Someone Screenshots

Another day, another high-profile casualty in the era of ’secure’ messaging apps. Mike Waltz gets the boot after sensitive strategy discussions bleed into public view—proving yet again that opsec fails harder than a meme stock rally.

Signal’s encryption didn’t stop this intel hemorrhage. Maybe next time they’ll use a blockchain-based solution—oh wait, that would actually be immutable. Too bad Washington still thinks SSL is cutting-edge tech.

Trump held off firing but eventually pulled the trigger

Though the exposure instantly embarrassed the administration, Trump didn’t fire Waltz on the spot. Instead, he told reporters he would “look into” it, while venting his frustration privately.

CBS News and The Guardian both reported that Waltz had intended to add Brian Hughes, a national security spokesman, but instead dropped Goldberg into the chat. The phone contact had been mislabeled, and by the time anyone noticed, the journalist already had eyes on classified data.

Waltz had joined the administration fresh from Congress, where he’d represented Florida’s 6th District until resigning in January. While in the House, he served on the Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and Armed Services committees.

He also came with 27 years in the Army and National Guard, retiring as a colonel. None of that background saved him once Goldberg saw the war plans before the strike even began.

Democrats responded immediately. Representative Julie Johnson said, “One less person who will put our troops in harm’s way and risk our national security.” Representative Herb Conway posted, “Good start.” Representative Eugene Vindman wrote that we’re “halfway there,” and called for Pete Hegseth to get removed too.

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