Democrat Senators demand answers over Signal chat leak: ‘I don’t want to get into this’—Tulsi Gabbard dodges questions

The Senate Intelligence Committee convened on Tuesday (March 25) to question top national security officials about how a journalist was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat discussing sensitive military strike plans in Yemen.

The hearing focused on Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and FBI Director Kash Patel as lawmakers sought answers on potential national security breaches.

Democratic Senators press officials on leak

Democratic Senator Mark Warner questioned Gabbard and Ratcliffe on the implications of the chat. Warner specifically asked Gabbard if she had participated in the chat and whether it contained classified information.

“Senator, I don’t want to get into this,” Gabbard responded, asserting that “there was no classified material” in the conversation.

Ratcliffe, who admitted to being part of the chat, maintained that his involvement was “entirely permissible and lawful and did not include classified information.” However, he conceded that including a journalist in such a discussion was “of course not” appropriate.

Debate over classified war plans

Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona asked Gabbard and Ratcliffe on whether the chat contained classified material. Gabbard deferred questions about whether military information belonged in the chat to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, further avoiding direct accountability. And, Ratcliffe stated, “Decisional strike deliberations should be conducted through classified channels.”

FBI’s response and calls for investigation

FBI Director Kash Patel declined to confirm whether the bureau would investigate allegations that Cabinet members leaked national security information.

“I was just briefed about it late last night, this morning. I don’t have an update,” Patel said.

Democrats, however, have pushed for further inquiries.

Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado called the leak an “embarrassment” and pressed Ratcliffe on whether this was “just a normal day at the CIA.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reiterated his demand for a bipartisan investigation into Trump administration officials’ use of the Signal chat.

Republican reactions and defense

Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged that “errors in judgment” had occurred but refrained from attributing the incident to a lack of qualifications. When asked by CNN whether the leak validated concerns about the competence of Trump’s national security team, Thune declined to give a direct answer.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the administration, stating, “I don’t think anyone should be fired over it.”

Senators are set to reconvene in a closed-door session at 12:40 p.m. ET, where they are expected to delve deeper into the security breach and possible repercussions.