[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6069297,"mediaKeyId","3072457-489b55fb070af29bde2bb293a15ce81c","parentId",3072457,"title","House Intelligence members press for investigation after Signal chat screenshots surface","audioSeconds",1695,"startMs",988000,"endMs",2683000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3072457-489b55fb070af29bde2bb293a15ce81c&start=988&end=2683","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3072457-489b55fb070af29bde2bb293a15ce81c/thumbnail_988000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6069297/House-Intelligence-members-press-for-investigation-after-Signal-chat-screenshots-surface","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069297-0f7203aea08237f966889251af75d3e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770645365&Signature=TmGXyVUdCHsXGkmsS~6DZMKO1sjgdV5vMbqH89IisuB0Euff5sHildH4ubOmpPH2FU41165bU5mw0DGJSO0rysPsrgDSQagX3ZjeNVISqZZWba6B2-ojQqhmoobZKmw5diWyq2Yi7COxD-hfd3rASiXhif2fx1qg5H0zpV3gczsBPmB3lCIT4FrhBXOSpUH7aAdTBNiePE0sTOT4jVAHWPfE5EMdU3WbjQeO~AIfKqxaPuuBx6KDSsozk1JYNLp5sC5dHGOt02HE5A~Byi-otyHUd5xgkTQZfdnoCGhTMuDBaqHGExNcTTqkQEz~QdKArX3loOgVJ7WZ17eD0fezVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","GOP House Intelligence Committee","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","At a March congressional hearing, members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence pressed senior U.S. intelligence leaders about published screenshots of a Signal chat that included operational timing for a recent strike, calling for investigations and, in some cases, accountability for officials who shared the messages.

The controversy surfaced as the committee took testimony on the intelligence community's 2025 annual threat assessment. Chairman Crawford opened by noting the chat had become public and said he expected the public hearing to focus on foreign threats; Ranking Member Himes and multiple other members repeatedly returned to the Signal messages when questioning witnesses.

Why it matters: Committee members said the exchange — which includes lines such as “Time now, 11:44 Eastern time. Weather is favorable. Just confirmed with CENTCOM. We are go for mission launch” and references to aircraft and strike windows — risks revealing operational details that could be useful to adversaries and allies alike. Lawmakers called for accountability and for a full investigation into how the messages were shared publicly.

Director of National Intelligence Chelsea Gabbard told the committee the chat was being reviewed by the National Security Council and that her office of general counsel was coordinating with the Department of Justice on legal aspects. Gabbard said, “There were no sources, methods, locations, or war plans that were shared,” and that her office was limited in commenting further because of pending litigation.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe defended his agency’s conduct, saying he used appropriate channels for sensitive material and that public reporting has not shown he transmitted classified information. FBI Director Kash Patel and military witnesses confirmed they would cooperate with congressional requests for documents; Patel said the FBI would deliver certain materials to the committee “by the close of business today or at the latest tomorrow morning.”

Several members directly challenged the assertion that the chat contained only unclassified material. Representative Gomez said the published screenshots “included specific sources and methods and targets and names” in reporters’ publicized excerpts and called the claim that the material was unclassified “a lie to the country.” Representative Crow and others urged Secretary Hegseth to resign, saying the messages disclosed operational details and repeatedly asserting the content was classified under Executive Order 13526 and DOD classification guidance.

Agency and oversight steps: Witnesses said the National Security Council is conducting an in‑depth review; the DNI said her office would follow legal obligations to notify Congress of any significant unauthorized disclosure and would comply with committee document requests. Several members signaled they would press for inspector‑general or independent reviews; the Senate Armed Services Committee chair and ranking member have requested an inspector general report, according to members’ statements at the hearing.

What was not established: At the public hearing the DNI and other leaders said they had not seen evidence in the released screenshots that revealed sources, methods, specific locations or named undercover personnel. Witnesses repeatedly said classification determinations for DOD information rest with the secretary of defense. Multiple members disputed that conclusion and said public excerpts show operational details that merit investigation.

The committee closed the open session and reconvened for a planned closed session to review classified material and follow up on outstanding questions. The National Security Council review and any inspector‑general findings will determine whether additional legal or administrative actions follow.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HPSCI Open Event: 2025 Annual Threat Assessment Hearing March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At a March congressional hearing, members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence pressed senior U.S. intelligence leaders about published screenshots of a Signal chat that included operational timing for a recent strike, calling for investigations and, in some cases, accountability for officials who shared the messages.","taxTitle","House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Special, Select and Other Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",2001,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6069283,"Lawmakers press agencies on border security and cartel‑driven fentanyl threat",7441,1668000,9109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3072457-489b55fb070af29bde2bb293a15ce81c&start=1668&end=9109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3072457-489b55fb070af29bde2bb293a15ce81c/thumbnail_1668000.jpg","/articles/6069283/Lawmakers-press-agencies-on-border-security-and-carteldriven-fentanyl-threat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069283-e3db95e2e14f3d3da49d2b67174d1063/orig.mp4?Expires=1770645365&Signature=DNENvOG~tYXv-qwUnHF3EGPN9Qm2Ta1j~V4Tjiqg0c476VMz7XNuVjfL99mPRq~jC4qM2vAysDng9PTLXHXYPl6aoiLkboGT~1u-hNHMy35m1wvAHewChNroR5oGTz7OxfEZ9o-9dNGvtupHta1FUYfdso6t6CmStGmmvMCxiJZYZlLu7Q88iUO5vg6fWquAVfrk-UegI-9rb1bpu~8tI7BbjvwtngwLnjI-EyOZjWOcdPo3o8ceUDuagD5ghjyXxgKOEDTlcYzeg6b6C5Z0rB3J0ilxvB0WcVgDCnjB6Xa6GG1M8aQ4wYxz-kJY1LTAkKbe0DPSkVj0RxcRNUVj7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Intelligence members pressed intelligence and law‑enforcement leaders about border encounters, cartel activity and fentanyl precursor production during the hearing on the annual threat assessment.

Trends at the border: Witnesses and members reported large changes in border encounters since January 2025. Chairman Crawford and several members cited a sharp decline in southern border encounters compared with 2024; Director Kash Patel said known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) are appearing with “much less frequency” at the southern border and more often at the northern border. Patel told the committee that KST encounters since January 20 numbered in the dozens for the northern border (he said a specific figure would be provided in classified briefing) and urged increased focus and resources there.

Cartels and fentanyl: DNI Chelsea Gabbard emphasized cartels’ central role in the fentanyl crisis, citing intelligence that “cartels were largely responsible for the deaths of more than 54,000 American citizens due to synthetic opioids” in the year ending October 2024. Witnesses said cartels adapt rapidly, source precursor chemicals and equipment from abroad — notably China and India as identified in testimony — and use networks to smuggle people and drugs.

Interagency and international cooperation: Members sought commitments that the FBI, CIA and ODNI would share fused information with partner governments and state/local law enforcement. Director Patel described stepped‑up FBI partnerships with Mexican authorities and said the bureau had worked with Mexico to repatriate or remove high‑value fugitives and criminals. Representative Scott and others praised recent arrests and extraditions and urged continued cooperation; witnesses said work with Mexico had increased and that many agencies were coordinating through homeland‑security task forces.

Policy and oversight requests: Lawmakers pressed agencies to provide the committee with consolidated information on KSTs, including biometrics and vetting data, and to brief on whether recent policy shifts (including changes to foreign assistance and agency prioritization) had affected regional stability. DNI Gabbard said an assessment of USAID cuts had not been produced for the unclassified report and that she had no indication the administration formally requested that review of the intelligence community for the open assessment.

Why it matters: Members said the combination of lethal domestic overdoses, international precursor supply chains, and shifting migration routes create layered national‑security and public‑health challenges that require sustained intelligence, law‑enforcement and diplomatic engagement.","Committee members and agency heads discussed declines in southern‑border encounters, shifting known or suspected terrorist flows to the northern border, cartel roles in fentanyl deaths, and international precursor supply chains.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6069288,"Lawmakers and intelligence chiefs spar over FISA Section 702 reauthorization",337,3779000,4116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3072457-489b55fb070af29bde2bb293a15ce81c&start=3779&end=4116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3072457-489b55fb070af29bde2bb293a15ce81c/thumbnail_3779000.jpg","/articles/6069288/Lawmakers-and-intelligence-chiefs-spar-over-FISA-Section-702-reauthorization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069288-b43bb19e8052591d73396852d65d5390/orig.mp4?Expires=1770645365&Signature=HRG7wYAnH~mpZmcH78O~Sm8Ved1SVdhiIzHcmaZs2gSnEs7eieJGv4vqP0XMQ-X3NTylEDm8A4-Th1qZju1l0TCG5rVIzAe7Z0hEqQCRkZHg8GFEocXg9CMtWtu7F5RFft8QSpX0vhZB7UDLkKq4D4ynJ5nRLF~bVPc9Sp0RBYI7TR7jivQmRoL3gXA92WOhvl-v7VFa38~fJLFxJMGA8Ghx3DVfCkCvze-ispfdF4Xx-iwpmMyjLY5F5LXsT8u3MADZB-boI9DM9L6H9Qx5SJ7Zl3pbLujCux0utKLOz9Zt8vj-Xmb-UPP8PV9eBB9XjfNpbLpmqRt9DXhZWRUGIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence used the hearing to question the future of FISA Section 702 and to press agency heads on the tradeoffs between civil‑liberties safeguards and operational capabilities.

What committee members asked: Representative LaHood and Representative Fitzpatrick led a bipartisan line of questioning about whether imposing a warrant requirement on queries of lawfully collected 702 data would meaningfully degrade intelligence capabilities. Members argued a warrant requirement for querying previously collected data would be impractical and could “shut down” critical investigations.

Agency responses: CIA Director John Ratcliffe told the committee, as he has in prior testimony, that Section 702 is “indispensable” to CIA operations and national security. Ratcliffe attributed a large share of some agency counterproliferation and interdiction successes to 702‑derived collection, saying, in his words, “70% of CIA's success with regard to advanced weapons counter‑proliferation is the result of 702 collected information,” and that large portions of analysis provided to senior leaders draw on 702 sources. Director Kash Patel said the FBI has implemented reforms limiting query access, supervisor and attorney approvals for U.S. person queries, and internal audits, and said the bureau has recorded “one instance of negligent conduct” among U.S. person queries since reforms took effect.

Why it matters: Lawmakers who support reauthorization argued that 702 is critical to preventing attacks and disrupting networks, while civil‑liberties advocates and some members of Congress have sought a warrant requirement or tighter protections for U.S. person queries. The directors emphasized both operational reliance on 702 collection and recent compliance reforms; some members said they will continue to press for legislative safeguards.

Follow up: Directors said closed sessions could provide classified examples of 702 successes. Committee members signaled they will continue bipartisan work on reauthorization and oversight of new query‑control measures.","Members pressed CIA and FBI directors on the operational importance of Section 702 and whether warrant requirements for queries would impede counterterrorism and intelligence operations. Agency leaders described 702 as indispensable while acknowledging reforms and compliance measures.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":79,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":82,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6069292,"Intelligence leaders cite fentanyl, China and cyber as top threats in 2025 assessment",516,2184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3072457-489b55fb070af29bde2bb293a15ce81c&start=1668&end=2184","/articles/6069292/Intelligence-leaders-cite-fentanyl-China-and-cyber-as-top-threats-in-2025-assessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069292-45d04d37d7e6d8cad4139fd3fc1429a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770645365&Signature=V8O7NHUNfY2X6RCytlqIUI9Z~3TvReQ~4BaCaeNXeqRqn88xIu6I90a-kxZEa3~qFvAzmYf3uLh5d6795k5O4~ykphUVIsZwukTkUuFUTSvQvvvWnvvkF3uB2YI-mMP2GR0wpdJle-VmaH-9~BhvncwlHCxlhBYDa17P2XZZEXU2nD6WuT~lYr-MB76wy7hOxEaIIvPimBQxLbiux~yDMWJDDO5YhLlq7KoQcmPhdLf7ki~ZgkUDZPLQVBsgEPfbvEEd1z4SQqfRNXSFeBE-mQg6-IR93eD5et91lPsXTE5A8P05MPIR-lHCExEpCejGZwwyziNyQ04r7suW-lJGEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director of National Intelligence Chelsea Gabbard and other intelligence leaders told the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence that the unclassified portion of the 2025 annual threat assessment identifies organized criminal groups, transnational narcotics networks and state adversaries as the principal risks to U.S. security.

The most immediate threats: Gabbard emphasized nonstate criminal groups and terrorists that put American lives and livelihoods at risk. The assessment cited that, “cartels were largely responsible for the deaths of more than 54,000 American citizens due to synthetic opioids” in the 12‑month reporting period ending October 2024. Gabbard also highlighted cartel involvement in narcotics production and human smuggling and said those groups “drive much of the unrest and lawlessness in the Western Hemisphere.”

China and great‑power competition: The intelligence leaders assessed that China “is our most capable strategic competitor.” Testimony said Beijing is fielding advanced military capabilities (hypersonics, stealth aircraft, submarines), expanding cyber operations and leveraging economic influence — including controls on materials such as gallium and germanium after U.S. export restrictions.

Russia, Iran and North Korea: Witnesses described Russia’s modernizing nuclear and cyber capabilities and linked Russia to expanded cooperation with North Korea and Iran on military and economic matters. The assessment stated it continues to judge Iran is not building a nuclear weapon but that Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile is at its highest levels for a non‑nuclear state. North Korea was described as pursuing conventional and strategic weapons that could threaten regional forces and the homeland.

Cyber threats and critical infrastructure: The panel warned of state‑linked and criminal cyber actors targeting U.S. critical infrastructure, citing past ransomware attacks on healthcare payment processors and attacks on water utilities. Agency heads said the IC sees state actors and criminal groups sharing tradecraft and that cyber threats were a persistent priority.

Why it matters: The unclassified assessment frames near‑term operational priorities including countering fentanyl production and distribution networks, bolstering cyber defenses, and monitoring state actors’ military and technological advances. Members said these findings should inform resource priorities and interagency coordination.

What members asked for: Lawmakers pressed agency heads on follow‑through, including whether the IC had assessed effects of recent cuts to foreign assistance; Gabbard said a focused assessment on USAID cuts was not completed for the public report and that the IC had not been asked formally to prepare that specific assessment.","At the committee hearing, intelligence leaders summarized the 2025 unclassified annual threat assessment: synthetic opioids and organized criminal groups domestically ranked high, and China, Russia, Iran and North Korea pose strategic threats including cyber and military developments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Intelligence members press for investigation after Signal chat screenshots surface

Lawmakers press agencies on border security and cartel‑driven fentanyl threat

Lawmakers and intelligence chiefs spar over FISA Section 702 reauthorization

Intelligence leaders cite fentanyl, China and cyber as top threats in 2025 assessment