Trump security advisor under fire for using Gmail and Signal to handle sensitive military communications

US National Security Sdvisor Michael Waltz - File Photo

National security advisor Michael Waltz and his staff have used personal Gmail accounts and the encrypted messaging app Signal to conduct government business, including discussions about sensitive military operations and weapons systems, according to a Washington Post investigation. The revelations come amid growing concern inside and outside the administration about lax data security and potential national security breaches.

Gmail use raises data security concerns Documents and interviews reviewed by The Post show that a senior Waltz aide used Gmail for interagency correspondence regarding ongoing conflicts and powerful weapons systems, while colleagues used secure government addresses. Waltz himself has received work-related schedules and documents on his personal Gmail and reportedly copied those into Signal for internal coordination.

Cybersecurity experts warn that such practices expose communications to hacking and foreign surveillance. “Email is not end-to-end encrypted,” said Eva Galperin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, noting that Gmail messages can be intercepted or accessed on Google’s servers.

NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes denied any classified data had been sent via personal accounts and said that if legacy contacts emailed Waltz’s Gmail, he would forward the information to his official government account.

Signal chat breach and exposure of Israeli intelligence Waltz’s use of Signal—approved for some unclassified government uses but not for classified content—has also come under fire after a confidential group chat he created accidentally included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic. The group discussed sensitive details about US military strikes on Houthi militants in Yemen, including targeting timelines and surveillance data sourced from Israel.

The after-action details shared by Waltz in the chat suggested Israeli intelligence had tracked a senior Houthi figure, information that later sparked frustration in Israeli defence circles for compromising their capabilities.

Despite denying that the chat included classified material, the fallout has been severe. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among those on the chat. Rubio downplayed his role, noting he only identified a point of contact and later congratulated the team.

Trump considers firing Waltz but holds off President Trump reportedly considered firing Waltz after meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, but ultimately decided not to—at least in part to avoid handing a political victory to the media.

“The one thing saving his job is that Trump doesn’t want to give Jeff Goldberg a scalp,” one senior official said, referencing the journalist’s accidental inclusion.

Still, the incident has “badly damaged” Waltz’s standing internally, according to sources. He was instructed to show greater deference to Wiles and warned about the risks of mishandling sensitive information.

Hypocrisy charges over Clinton criticism Waltz’s critics have pointed out his past vocal attacks on Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State. “What did DOJ do about it? Not a damn thing,” Waltz posted on social media in June 2023.

Now, under scrutiny for similar behaviour, White House officials and the Justice Department have shown no indication of investigating the Gmail or Signal use in Trump’s NSC. Attorney General Pam Bondi has insisted that no classified material was shared.

Political blowback and party divide While Democrats cite the episode as evidence of incompetence and security risk, Waltz is also under fire from Trump’s right flank. Some MAGA-aligned figures are resurfacing a 2016 video of Waltz denouncing Trump as a “draft dodger” and calling to “Stop Trump now,” further complicating his political standing.

Still, Trump has publicly stood by him. “Mike serves at the pleasure of President Trump and the President has voiced his support... multiple times this week,” Hughes said.

The scandal underscores the Trump administration’s inconsistent handling of security protocols and its own critiques of past Democratic officials. As the White House faces internal divisions and external scrutiny, Waltz’s future hangs in the balance—tied not only to data security practices but also to a widening battle within the Republican Party over loyalty and control.