Connolly Launches Investigation into NSA's Practices

Washington, DC [US], April 2 (ANI):

Representative Gerry Connolly, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, has launched an official investigation into National Security Advisor (NSA) Mike Waltz and his staff for allegedly using personal Gmail accounts and the encrypted messaging app Signal to conduct government business. The investigation was confirmed through an official statement by the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

Connolly announced the inquiry in a post on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the need to protect national security and ensure compliance with federal records laws.

“First Signal, now Gmail: new reporting today revealed that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and his staff have been using personal Gmail accounts to conduct government business. We must protect our national security. Oversight Dems are launching an official investigation,” Connolly wrote.

Allegations of Private Email Use for Government Business

According to an April 1, 2025, report by The Washington Post, Waltz and several senior members of the National Security Council (NSC) used Gmail instead of secure government-issued accounts for official communications. The report detailed that a senior Waltz aide had engaged in highly technical discussions about sensitive military positions and weapons systems via the commercial email service.

A separate report by The Wall Street Journal revealed that Waltz had facilitated high-level discussions on Signal, hosting group chats on sensitive topics such as peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and military operations.

Federal Law and Security Concerns

Federal law mandates that all government business be conducted on official platforms to ensure the preservation of records and safeguard classified information. The use of unauthorized private communication tools, particularly for national security matters, raises concerns about transparency and potential violations of the Presidential Records Act (PRA) and the Federal Records Act (FRA).

The Oversight Committee’s letter to Waltz explicitly warned that failure to copy or forward government-related messages to official accounts within 20 days could constitute a serious breach of federal law.

The letter further highlights that Waltz and his team’s reliance on private email and encrypted messaging applications could:

Obscure government activities from public scrutiny.
Hinder accountability of national security decisions.
Expose classified information to unauthorized parties.

Use of Signal’s “Disappearing Messages” Feature

One of the key concerns raised in the investigation is whether Signal’s “disappearing messages” feature was used to delete sensitive conversations, particularly regarding the March 15, 2025, U.S. military strike on Yemen.

If these messages were not preserved, Waltz and his staff could be in violation of federal records laws, requiring them to report any such breaches to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Potential National Security Risks

Beyond legal implications, the Oversight Committee has raised concerns that the use of non-secure platforms presents a clear national security risk.

Consumer email services like Gmail lack the operational safeguards necessary for handling sensitive government matters.
Signal, while offering encryption, increases the risk of accidental disclosure of government deliberations to unauthorized individuals, including journalists or foreign adversaries.

Demands from the Oversight Committee

In response to these concerns, the Oversight Committee has demanded that Waltz and his staff:

Provide all communications related to government business conducted on unauthorized platforms.
Confirm in writing that all members of the NSC will immediately cease using private emails and messaging apps for official matters.
Clarify whether classified information was discussed over unauthorized platforms, particularly regarding the March 15 Yemen strike.

Broader Implications and Investigation Timeline

Connolly’s investigation adds to the mounting scrutiny over the Trump Administration’s handling of official records and national security protocols.

The Oversight Committee’s letter warns that circumventing established communication guidelines could indicate an effort to conceal key decisions from government oversight.

The investigation will examine:

Whether Waltz and his team intentionally bypassed federal records laws.
Whether they reported any violations to NARA.
If additional corrective measures are necessary.

The committee has set an April 15, 2025, deadline for Waltz to respond to its inquiries and provide the requested documentation.

As concerns over security and transparency grow, the findings of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for the administration’s national security practices.

(ANI)