Scandal-hit Waltz photographed using unofficial version of Signal amid leak row

The newly ousted former US National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, was revealed to be using an unofficial version of the Signal app, which is usually used by US President Donald Trump’s team to archive messages. The photograph published by Reuters raises concerns about the classification and security of the information Trump officials have been discussing on the app.

In a social media post on Thursday, Trump announced that he is removing Waltz from his post as the national security adviser and maintained that he will be nominated as ambassador to the United Nations. The president thanked Waltz for his work and said he would be temporarily replaced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will continue as America’s top diplomat.

The photograph of Waltz looking at the Signal-like app started going around after Trump’s announcement. In the photo, the then-national security adviser was seen checking his phone during a cabinet meeting held by US President Donald Trump. The screen showed messages from top government officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Marco Rubio.

Why does it matter?

The reason why many speculated that Waltz was looking at a Signal chat was because at the bottom of his phone’s screen was a message that looked like Signal’s regular PIN verification message. However, the message was different since it appeared to be asking Waltz to verify his “TM SGNL PIN.” This is not the message that is displayed on an official version of Signal.

The Trump administration’s use of Signal to share official information has been scrutinised to a great extent. Waltz himself committed a major goof when he added a journalist from The Atlantic in a group chat discussing the Trump team’s first strike on Houthis in Yemen. At that time Watlz owned up to his mistake, but questions were raised about the classification and security of the data, which was being shared on the famous messaging app.

Signal is an approved app that is loaded onto our government phones. Thank you for your attention to this matter. https://t.co/EdBp7CQ9uO

— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) May 1, 2025

A court later asked the Trump officials to archive the message so that it could be assessed when the case goes on trial. Meanwhile, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended Waltz’s continued use of Signal in an X post. “Signal is an approved app that is loaded onto our government phones. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Cheung said in the post.