WASHINGTON: FBI Director Kash Patel refused to confirm if the bureau will investigate a possible security breach via Signal chat.
During a Senate hearing, Democratic Sen. Mark Warner pressed Patel about potential leaks from Trump’s Cabinet members. Patel said he was briefed late at night.
Intelligence Officials’ Denial
Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe denied any classified data was shared in the group chat, despite concerns over sensitive military details.
Warner urged Patel to confirm if the FBI would launch a criminal investigation into the leaked messages. Patel refused to give a definite answer.
Investigation Challenges
Warner demanded an update by the end of the day. Patel did not confirm whether the FBI would proceed with a probe.
Typically, the FBI investigates unauthorized sharing of classified information. But officials with classification authority can downgrade information at will.
Security Implications
The situation raises concerns about how classified material is handled within the highest levels of government.
Security experts worry the inadvertent addition of a journalist to the group chat could expose U.S. military operations.
The Biden administration has yet to comment on whether further security measures will be introduced to prevent similar incidents.
Political Reactions
Some lawmakers demand accountability for the leak, questioning whether proper security protocols were ignored in the chat.
Others argue that if classification levels were downgraded, the officials involved did not break any laws.
Next Steps
Warner insists that the public deserves transparency on whether the FBI will investigate the matter further.
For now, Patel has not provided any timeline for updates regarding a possible inquiry into the Signal chat leak.
