Latest news with #Signalgate
Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
AOC Ridicules Hegseth After Being Congratulated for 'Not a Single Leak' From Iran Bombing: 'Not a Vote of Confidence'
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after a conservative political pundit congratulated him for managing the U.S. attack on Iran without any leaks. The New York representative took to X (formerly Twitter) to respond to conservative columnist amd Newsmax host Todd Starnes who had commended Hegseth on the same platform earlier. "Not a single leak. Well done, @SecDef," Starnes wrote, appearing to refer to the Signalgate scandal from earlier this year after it was revealed that a journalist was added to a private Signal chat of Trump officials discussing strikes on Yemen. "This is like applauding a grown man for being able to wipe their behind. Not exactly a vote of confidence," AOC responded. Social media users quickly took to the replies of Ocasio-Cortez's post to further ridicule Hegseth, with some expressing frustrations at the fact that the Trump administration had become involved in another foreign war. "The cowardice displayed here, by not seeking the Congress' declaration of war, is astounding," said one. "All day I've been seeing house MAGA applauding @SecDef for not leaking out anything about the bombings. I WANT TO KNOW why is this deemed normal? We shouldn't have to be praising a grown man let alone the @SecDef for not drunk texting military secrets," said another. "Like why are we congratulating someone who's supposed to be doing their jobs," another user wrote. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. had successfully bombed three Iranian nuclear sites in a national address delivered from the White House on Saturday evening. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a close ally to AOC, also commented on the attack, drawing parallels between this attack to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. "No weapons of mass destruction were ever found," Sanders said, referencing the Iraq invasion. "That war was based on a lie. A lie that cost us 4,500 young Americans, 32,000 wounded and trillions of dollars." "We cannot let history repeat itself," he continued. Originally published on Latin Times
The Hill
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
The real scandal isn't Signalgate — it's our easily compromised mobile network
'Signalgate' — the disclosure that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive war plans over the app Signal from a personal device — was one of the early defining storylines of the Trump administration. There was no shortage of (largely justified) outrage at the passing of high-stakes information over commercial cellular channels. But the reality is that people, including government officials, have adopted cell phones as their primary means of communication for everything today, from grocery lists to ground invasions. In Ukraine, in spite of the risks, both sides of the conflict have heavily used commercial cellular networks throughout the war, because nothing beats them in terms of availability and efficiency. In early June, Ukraine scored its biggest win in months by launching drone attacks at Russian airfields, and in the process it laid bare the asymmetric vulnerabilities that cellular networks present to a major military power like the United States. Ukrainian handlers operated the drones from thousands of miles away by connecting over Russian commercial cell networks. Because Russia cannot simply turn off its commercial cellular networks, given the enormous social and economic consequences, it was left scrambling for ways to mitigate the threat. There is a lesson in this for us. We cannot turn back time to a world where strategic, essential communication only happens in a sensitive, compartmentalized information facility, or over private, dedicated networks. Rather than doubling down on outdated protocols, we need to fix the broken network on which the world runs — commercial cellular. Every time your phone connects to a tower, it leaves behind metadata that adversaries can potentially exploit. Your movements can be tracked, your contacts mapped, your calls and texts intercepted using flaws in decades-old signaling protocols. Hackers can take over your number with SIM swaps and hijack sensitive accounts (like Signal). Our adversaries understand this, and they have been exploiting the weaknesses in our commercial networks as a result. Volt Typhoon, a China-backed hacking operation, was designed to burrow into U.S. telecom infrastructure to cripple it during a future crisis. Salt Typhoon, a sweeping Chinese espionage campaign, breached at least nine U.S. telecoms and monitored the communications of both the Trump and Harris campaigns. The FBI told Americans to stop using SMS messages. Congressmen called it the worst telecom hack in history. Yet, we're still carrying on like nothing happened. The core of the problem is that our telecom infrastructure is old, stagnant and too comfortable with monopoly rents. The U.S. once led the world in 2G, 3G and 4G cellular networks. Now, Huawei leads the world in 5G and is already laying tracks for 6G, thanks to enormous support and billions in subsidization by the Chinese government. Modernizing U.S. telecom is no small task — the industry has invested roughly $2 trillion in communications infrastructure since 1996. We can't rip and replace the plumbing of the digital world overnight, but we can innovate on top of it. The rise of cloud computing has allowed rapid innovation by software-first upstarts disrupting traditional sectors, from travel to taxis to taxes. Software-defined cellular networks, which my company utilizes, now make it possible for nimble newcomers to innovate on top of towers and fiber, using modern security protocols and scalable infrastructure. But only if they're allowed to. The federal government should support privacy-first, software-based mobile infrastructure in the same way it once supported privacy-first internet infrastructure. And as it does so often in these ambitious projects, the Department of Defense should lead the way. The Tor browser began as a Navy research project. It's now a global tool for journalists and dissidents. Today's equivalent is investing in modern telecom — starting with efforts like the Department of Defense's 5G initiative, which should look beyond private network-based prototypes and address making the public, commercial cellular that we all use more secure, resilient and dynamic. Another example is the Navy's Spiral 4 program office, responsible for procuring cellular communications for the force, and is perfectly positioned to hold the industry more accountable for innovation and improvements over the status quo. 'Signalgate' and Ukraine's Spiderweb operation are wake-up calls. Mobile phones and the cellular network are the way everyone communicates now, and it's unrealistic to expect people, even those doing high-consequence work, to abandon the efficiencies of mobile communication. Fixing this requires more than an app. We need to lead innovation on private and secure cellular infrastructure as a strategic imperative. John Doyle is CEO and co-founder of the privacy-first mobile carrier Cape.
News18
22-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Iran's Loss Is Pete Hegseth's Gain: How US Strikes Boost Defence Secretary's MAGA Image
Last Updated: Quoting US President Donald Trump's clip on the Iran strikes, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X: 'Bless our brave Service Members.' Apart from the twist it has added to the ongoing Israel-Iran war, the United States' strikes on Iran's nuclear sites have led to another advantage – a much-needed turnaround for US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. While Hegseth was under fire after the recent 'Signalgate', the Iran strikes have renewed support for him among the 'MAGA' brigade. Quoting US President Donald Trump's clip on the Iran strikes, Hegseth wrote on X: 'Bless our brave Service Members." . @POTUS 'I want to congratulate the great American patriots who flew those magnificent machines tonight and all of the United States military on an operation the likes of which the world has not seen in many decades." — DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) June 22, 2025 WHAT WAS SIGNALGATE? In April, Hegseth faced mounting pressure to quit after the leak of the first Signal group chat, in which The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added, revealing sensitive war plans. Hegseth was mired in row after it was revealed that he shared detailed Houthi/Yemen war-strike plans via an unsecured Signal group that included his wife, brother and personal attorney. His adviser Dan Caldwell was ousted during the probe. The Pentagon said that no classified information was compromised. However, critics in the Congress such as Senators Charles Schumer and Tammy Duckworth publicly called for his resignation. US President Donald Trump had defended Hegseth, calling it a ' witch hunt". Hegseth had blamed 'disgruntled former employees" and the media, accusing them of attempting to ruin his reputation. HOW IT WILL HELP HEGSETH MAGA figures like Charlie Kirk, Dan Bongino, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn have emerged as strong advocates, urging GOP senators to confirm Hegseth. John Cardillo wrote on X: 'Precision strike. No leaks. No US casualties. Never again say that Hegseth wasn't the right guy to lead the DOD." Precision leaks. No US casualties. Never again say that Hegseth wasn't the right guy to lead the DOD. — John Cardillo (@johncardillo) June 22, 2025 Congressman Michael Baumgartner wrote on X: 'Certainly worth noting the impressive operational secrecy and execution from our military leadership and forces. This is a scenario that has been rehearsed for a long time, but it was still a challenging feat to pull off. May God Bless & Protect Our Troops." Certainly worth noting the impressive operational secrecy and execution from our military leadership and forces. This is a scenario that has been rehearsed for a long time, but it was still a challenging feat to pull off. May God Bless & Protect Our Troops . 🇺🇸— Congressman Michael Baumgartner (@RepBaumgartner) June 22, 2025 Nick Sortor on X applauded Hegseth for the 'blackout on information". 'FOX PENTAGON REPORTER: 'In my 18 years at the Pentagon, I've never seen such operational security. There were NO LEAKS. NOBODY speaking about this. A complete blackout on information about Iran at the Pentagon for the last few days. GREAT JOB, @SecDef Hegseth!" 🚨 FOX PENTAGON REPORTER: 'In my 18 years at the Pentagon, I've never seen such operational were NO LEAKS. NOBODY speaking about this. A complete blackout on information about Iran at the Pentagon for the last few days." GREAT JOB, @SecDef Hegseth! 🇺🇸 — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 22, 2025 Michael V Pearce posted on X: 'Fox News Jennifer Griffin: '18 years since I've been at the Pentagon, I've never seen such operational security. There was nobody speaking about this….There was a complete lockdown, almost a blackout of information…There were no leaks." Kudos to @SecDef Hegseth." Eric Daugherty, too, lauded Hegseth. No leaks. — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 22, 2025 MAGA Voice handle posted on X: 'Zero leaks. Zero idea of Donald Trump's plan. Huge shoutout to Pete Hegseth. Great Job." Zero leaks. Zero idea of Donald Trump's plan. Huge shoutout to Pete Hegseth. Great Job 🇺🇸 — MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) June 22, 2025 US STRIKES ON HOUTHIS Since March, the US military hit more than 1,000 Houthi-controlled sites, responding to the group's increased attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis have said their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians who are grappling with Israeli onslaught in Gaza. Despite Iran's repeated claims that the Houthis operate independently, US officials continue to cite evidence of Tehran's involvement through lethal support, military aid, and strategic direction. top videos View all The US forces had on April 20 conducted a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including the capital Sanaa and the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, with reports indicating over 70 deaths from a prior strike in the same region. A US airstrike on April 28 targeted Yemen's Saada governorate, a known Houthi stronghold. Hegseth had then launched a tirade against Iran for its 'lethal support" to Yemen's Houthi rebels and warned of 'consequences". He had written on X: 'Message to IRAN: We see your lethal support to The Houthis." About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : donald trump news18 specials us iran tension Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 22, 2025, 16:49 IST News world Iran's Loss Is Pete Hegseth's Gain: How US Strikes Boost Defence Secretary's MAGA Image
Business Wire
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Genasys Inc. Reports Increasing Demand for CONNECT in Wake of 'Signalgate'
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Genasys Inc. (NASDAQ: GNSS), the global leader In Protective Communications, today announced increasing interest and orders for CONNECT, the company's fully compliant, mission-critical communications platform for government and law enforcement. 'Greater demand for CONNECT has been spurred by the 'Signalgate' controversy, where several members of the federal government used the Signal messaging app for sensitive information sharing,' said Chief Jeff Halstead (Ret.), Genasys Senior Director of Strategic Accounts. 'Since the controversy, we are experiencing increasing demand for CONNECT information, demonstrations and orders from public safety leaders in small towns and large metro areas across the United States.' To date, strong order demand and contract renewals have grown CONNECT coverage in 41 states and more than 500 agencies, with other states and multiple agencies in deployment trials. 'Many public safety leaders now understand the importance and legal requirements of owning and controlling Interactions when planning and responding to crisis events,' Chief Halstead continued, 'During the last two weeks of national protests, I was contacted by more than a dozen police chiefs thanking me for helping them elevate their communication networks. Through CONNECT, many of them were able to regionally respond to mass protests in just a few minutes.' CONNECT Platform Advantages Heavily encrypted messaging from any device to all devices All messages and data are fully owned and controlled by the agency (Genasys has no access to data, chats, or information) Fortified Team chats where it is impossible for any person to be mistakenly added Nothing can be deleted or altered to maintain compliance Unlimited data sharing, photos, videos and documents Screenshot protection No push/share features prevent secure communications from being posted on social media All persons added to CONNECT are logged and tracked (they can only be added by sending an encrypted invitation directly to them) All data, chats and attachments are owned by the agency and can be easily reviewed in 30 seconds Complete transparency and accountability from all elected officials and law enforcement agencies Full compliance with FOIA, CJIS/FBI, public records retention laws and HIPAA Encrypted communications platforms like Signal are designed to allow users to hide or delete communications. Using CONNECT, a fully compliant encrypted communications platform specifically created for governmental operations, local, state, and federal governments/agencies can avoid the problems and fallout created by using non-FOIA-compliant consumer apps. About Genasys Inc. Genasys Inc. (NASDAQ: GNSS) is the global leader in Protective Communications. Incorporating the most comprehensive portfolio of preparedness, response, and analytics software and systems, as well as the Company's Long Range Acoustic Devices® (LRAD®) the Genasys Protect platform is designed around one premise: ensuring organizations and public safety agencies are 'Ready when it matters™.' Protecting people and saving lives for over 40 years, Genasys covers more than 155 million people in all 50 states and in over 100 countries worldwide. For more information, visit Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. We base these statements on particular assumptions that we have made in light of our industry experience, the stage of product and market development as well as our perception of historical trends, current market conditions, current economic data, expected future developments and other factors that we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested in any forward-looking statement. The risks and uncertainties in these forward-looking statements include without limitation the business impact of geopolitical conflicts and other causes that may affect our supply chain, and other risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company's control. Risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on information and management's expectations as of the date hereof. Future results may differ materially from our current expectations. For more information regarding other potential risks and uncertainties, see the 'Risk Factors' section of the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. Genasys Inc. disclaims any intent or obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as otherwise specifically stated.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
After Tulsi Gabbard, Trump shuts out Pete Hegseth in Iran war plans, fuels concerns of rogue military moves
Trump reportedly freezes out his defense secretary in Iran strike talks as tensions rise- President Donald Trump, currently weighing a possible U.S. military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, has reportedly sidelined Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from key war planning discussions. As Israeli forces intensify attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump is increasingly relying on a select group of advisors—leaving Hegseth out of critical decision-making circles, according to a report by The Washington Post . Though Hegseth was confirmed earlier this year and initially played a central role, his influence has dropped significantly following an internal scandal dubbed 'Signalgate.' The controversy began when Hegseth allegedly shared classified operational details in a private chat that mistakenly included a journalist. Since then, White House insiders say the Pentagon chief has been shut out from real-time military planning—raising big questions about who's actually shaping U.S. strategy toward Iran. Is the Iran-Israel war spiraling out of control? Trump sidelines top defense officials amid major moves The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict is no longer just a shadow war—it's turned into a direct and dangerous confrontation. And now, President Donald Trump's decision to shut out key military voices like Pete Hegseth from crucial war planning is raising red flags about what could happen next. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo Why is Trump sidelining his own defense secretary in Iran planning? The core issue appears to be trust—and control. Officials told The Washington Post that "nobody is talking to Hegseth" when it comes to Iran strike planning. Instead, Trump is reportedly getting direct input from what's being called the 'Tier One' group: Vice President JD Vance Secretary of State Marco Rubio CIA Director John Ratcliffe Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine This tight-knit group is said to be leading all major military and intelligence briefings. Meanwhile, Hegseth has not been part of the operational interface with the White House, according to three current U.S. officials. That disconnect suggests a breakdown between the Pentagon and Trump's national security inner circle. Live Events What happened with the 'Signalgate' controversy? Hegseth's fall from favor can be traced back to 'Signalgate,' an incident earlier this year where he reportedly leaked sensitive military information in a group chat that included a journalist. The leak involved a U.S. airstrike plan targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels. Though the damage control was swift, it reportedly rattled confidence inside the administration, especially in a time of rising conflict. While no formal action was taken against Hegseth, insiders claim the president 'lost confidence' in his ability to manage high-stakes national security operations. Since then, top-level briefings have been conducted without Hegseth or his staff present. What's really happening between Iran and Israel? Things escalated fast after Israel launched Operation Rising Lion on June 13, a series of deadly airstrikes and Mossad-led sabotage missions targeting Iran's nuclear and missile facilities. Senior Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists were among those killed. Iran responded with a heavy barrage of ballistic and hypersonic missiles, though Israel's Iron Dome and David's Sling systems have intercepted much of the incoming fire. Still, the level of open warfare between these two powers hasn't been seen in decades. Who is leading U.S. military planning if not the defense secretary? The actual planning appears to be in the hands of General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. Both are leading direct military coordination with Israel as Iranian facilities come under increased fire. Notably, Caine is said to have Trump's full backing, providing detailed briefings alongside CIA Director Ratcliffe. While the Pentagon insists Hegseth remains 'closely involved,' officials on the ground say otherwise. 'There is no operational coordination involving Hegseth,' one official told The Washington Post . This puts a major spotlight on the current structure of Trump's war cabinet, which is now more informal and centered around personal trust and loyalty. What role does Tulsi Gabbard play now in national security? Tulsi Gabbard, who was confirmed alongside Hegseth and now leads the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), is also facing reduced influence. After releasing a public video warning about the risk of nuclear conflict, she reportedly upset Trump and key advisors. The video, which stressed caution in escalating conflict with Iran, was seen by some in the administration as undermining ongoing strategy. Now, her role appears mostly advisory, with few high-level briefings involving her directly. Her message of restraint reportedly clashed with Trump's current push for a tougher stance on Iran. Is something even bigger brewing? 1. U.S. military moves spark fears of escalation The U.S. is not sitting idle. Reports confirm that Trump is considering greenlighting direct military aid to Israel, including high-impact bunker-buster bombs that could take out Iran's underground facilities. These moves come despite Hegseth's opposition, raising questions about how centralized and controlled America's response really is. 2. No sign of diplomacy—just more firepower Any hope for a diplomatic breakthrough appears to be fading fast. Israel reportedly demands that Iran halt its uranium enrichment and dismantle missile bases and proxy militias—conditions Tehran is unlikely to meet. Meanwhile, Iran's retaliation remains fierce, with proxy groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis stepping up activity. 3. Experts fear regional war is around the corner Foreign policy experts warn that this is no longer a backchannel fight—it's a real war that could spiral across the region. With the U.S. potentially entering the fray, the chances of a broader Middle East conflict are growing by the day. Already, analysts are tracking possible sleeper cell activity and cyberattacks that could expand the war's reach. Could this internal shake-up affect Trump's Iran strategy? With U.S. forces continuing to move into the region, and Israel pressing forward with targeted strikes, the exclusion of Hegseth from war planning could have real consequences. Some national security experts are questioning whether a defense secretary shut out of planning can effectively lead the Pentagon during a potential war. Meanwhile, Trump is said to be relying heavily on a mix of instinct and advice from his tight circle. His decision on whether to officially join Israel's offensive could come in days, if not hours. Are we witnessing the start of a bigger war? What started as covert operations and proxy clashes has now turned into a full-blown confrontation. With Donald Trump pushing aside top Pentagon voices and leaning on a hawkish inner circle, the risk of rogue military actions or U.S. involvement is rising sharply. The Iran-Israel war is already intense—but with each passing day, it looks more and more like the early stages of something much bigger. The question now is not just whether Trump will strike Iran, but who will actually shape the execution of that strategy—and what happens when critical voices like Hegseth and Gabbard are left out of the room. FAQs: Q1: Why is Trump excluding Pete Hegseth from Iran planning? Because of a loss of trust after the "Signalgate" incident involving a sensitive military leak. Q2: Who is advising Trump on Iran strike decisions now? Trump now relies on JD Vance, Marco Rubio, John Ratcliffe, and Gen. Dan Caine.
