CIA Director John Ratcliffe Swats Down Signal Story in Senate Intel Hearing

The Senate Intelligence Committee held its annual hearing on the worldwide threat assessment on Tuesday morning, and, as expected, it included some fairly lively exchanges, particularly on the matter of the recent Atlantic story from Jeffrey Goldberg regarding his inclusion in a Signal chat between senior administration officials regarding operations involving the Houthis.

What should come as little surprise to anyone is how animated the Democrat senators were over the matter, which, in a fascinating turn of events, came to light on Monday, just ahead of Tuesday's hearing. In fact, there didn't seem to be much of any interest on the Democrats' part regarding Russia, Iran, China, cartels, or any of the standard and well-known national security threats.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe faced off with several of the Democrat senators on the matter and largely knocked the wind out of their sails on it.

First, responding to Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA), Ratcliffe addressed the use of the Signal app by CIA officers and others as a permissible work use.

.@CIADirector: "One of the first things that happened when I was confirmed as CIA director was Signal was loaded onto my computer ... One of the things that I was briefed on very early was ... the use of Signal as a permissible work use — it is." pic.twitter.com/INE94qxikL
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 25, 2025

RATCLIFFE: So that we're clear, one of the first things that happened when I was confirmed as CIA director was Signal was loaded onto my computer at the CIA — as it is for most CIA officers. One of the things that I was briefed on very early, Senator, was by the CIA records management folks about the use of Signal as a permissible work use — it is. That is a practice that preceded the current administration to the Biden administration.

BREAKING: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Addresses Atlantic Story

Ratcliffe further clarified to Warner that his communications in the group were both permissible and lawful.

.@CIADirector: "My communications, to be clear, in a Signal message group were entirely permissible and lawful — and did not include classified information." pic.twitter.com/VsD7C3rK1R
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 25, 2025

RATCLIFFE: It is permissible to use to communicate and coordinate for work purposes, provided — provided, Senator — that any decisions that are made are also recorded through formal channels. So, those were procedures that were implemented — my staff implemented those processes, followed those processes, complied with those processes, and finally — just please — so, my communications, to be clear, in a Signal message group, were entirely permissible and lawful — and did not include classified information.

Ratcliffe (and DNI Tulsi Gabbard) set Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) straight when Wyden attempted to characterize the communication in question as involving classified information.

.@CIADirector: "I haven't participated in any Signal group messaging that relates to any classified information at all."@DNIGabbard: "I have not participated in any Signal group chat or any other chat on another app that contained any classified information." pic.twitter.com/kJkvyqnz9E
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 25, 2025

RATCLIFFE: Your question was have I participated in any other group chats sharing classified information — to be clear, I haven't participated in any Signal group messaging that relates to any classified information at all.
GABBARD: Senator, I have the same answer. I've not participated in any Signal group chat or any other chat on another app that contained any classified information.

When Colorado Senator Michael Bennett (D) attempted to badger and berate Ratcliffe on the issue, Ratcliffe wasn't having it.

🚨CIA Director Ratcliffe just SMACKED DOWN Democrat Senator Bennet.

🔥 pic.twitter.com/Qy8zsplafo
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 25, 2025

RATCLIFFE: I don't know if you use Signal messaging app, but —
BENNETT: I do, I do — not for classified information; not for targeting —
RATCLIFFE: Well, neither do I, Senator.
BENNETT: Not for anything remote —
RATCLIFFE: Neither do I, Senator. To be clear —
BENNETT: Well, that's what your testimony is today.
RATCLIFFE: It absolutely is not, Senator. Were you not listening at the beginning? When I said that I was using it, as permitted — it is permissible to use.
BENNETT: I agree that's your testimony. I agree that's your testimony. You asked me if I use it, and I said, "Not for targeting; not for classified information."
RATCLIFFE: And I said I don't either.

Ratcliffe and Bennett's full, fiery exchange may be viewed below. It was certainly something.

🔥FULL EXCHANGE: CIA Director Ratcliffe shuts down Democrat Michael Bennet! pic.twitter.com/PdF0eah1NL
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 25, 2025

As Bonchie rightly noted earlier, Goldberg's inclusion on the chat was an unforced error, and frankly, none of the administration should be in contact with him — ever — given his previous bad-faith reporting.

But as Ratcliffe's testimony clearly demonstrates, the use of the app itself by officials for non-classified communication and coordinating for work purposes is both allowed and legal — just as it was under the Biden administration. Hopefully, this will serve as a valuable lesson and help underscore the importance of mindfulness as to proper channels and participants when officials communicate with one another.

Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie.

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