National Security Adviser Waltz to Step Down After Signal Chat Leak

What Happened?

The Trump administration will undergo some major shifts following the departure of national security adviser, Mike Waltz, and his deputy, Alex Wong.

Waltz and Wong reportedly stepped down from their White House posts, Thursday, following scrutiny faced in March, after mistakenly including The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief in a Signal group chat.

Editor Jeffrey Goldberg was exposed to discussions involving top national security officials about plans for a military strike on Houthi targets in Yemen.

After Waltz admitted to the authenticity of Goldberg's accounts, there was a growing debate about whether he should choose to resign.

President Donald Trump at the time did not call for his resignation and publicly supported Waltz as a 'good man' who 'learned a lesson.'

One source told CBS News that Trump thinks enough time has passed to frame Waltz and Wong's departures as part of a reorganization.

Trump has reportedly been hesitant to fire Waltz over the perception of being pressured by outside influence.

Why it Matters

Trump told reporters on April 3 that a handful of other NSC staffers had been dismissed following The Atlantic's report that highlighted the Signal chat leak.

Officials discussed the possibility that the U.S. may have damaged its ability to gather intelligence on Houthi targets following the incident.

Two texts believed to have been sent by Waltz and CIA Director, John Ratcliffe, contained sensitive information, CNN reported.

Waltz told chat members that the military had a 'positive ID' of a senior Houthi leader 'walking into his girlfriend’s building.'

The information shared was equally endangering to many as leaked details sent by Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth.

On the unapproved service, Hegseth detailed weapons, sequencing, and timing associated with the U.S. March attack in Yemen.

The messages could have allowed the Houthis group a clear opportunity to change their strategic approach.

But Waltz took full responsibility for the group chat in the company of The Atlantic's editor who was inadvertently added.

'I take full responsibility. I built the group,' Waltz told Fox News. 'It's embarrassing.'

Editor Goldberg expressed the importance of those details if they had fallen into the wrong hands during a crucial two-hour period.

How it Affects You

The Trump administration defended its actions during previous testimony in front of the House Intelligence Committee.

Democrats used the hearings to demand an explanation and publicly called for several resignations.

Sen. Mark Warner denounced what he called a pattern of 'careless, incompetent behavior.'

It's a situation some believe could have been averted, if the government had a chat service to handle classified information.

But this incident for many does not excuse the facts in how these details were communicated.

The Trump administration will face a number of tough challenges as it prepares to regroup under new, tighter guidelines.