Mike Waltz Under Fire at Senate Hearing Over Signal Chat Controversy**

During a Senate confirmation hearing, Mike Waltz was scrutinized over a leaked Signal chat that included sensitive military plans and a journalist. Despite Democrats' inquiries about the potential sharing of classified information, Waltz maintained no such information was disclosed, though investigations are ongoing.**

Mike Waltz, former national security adviser and Donald Trump's nominee for the UN ambassador position, came under fire during a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday over a controversial Signal group chat. This chat, which inadvertently included a journalist, was used to discuss sensitive military plans concerning an imminent strike on the Houthi rebel group in Yemen.

The incident, referred to as "Signalgate," led to significant scrutiny from US senators, particularly from Democrats, who questioned Waltz about the appropriateness of using a commercially available messaging app for such discussions. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) emphasized the gravity of sharing sensitive military information and expressed hopes that Waltz would acknowledge the seriousness of the situation during questioning.

Waltz stood firm, asserting that no classified information had been shared within the chat. He pointed out that the use of Signal had been authorized and was even recommended by the Cyber Security Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a division within the Biden administration. This assertion was met with skepticism from senators who stressed that sensitive information should not be discussed on unsecured platforms.

The situation intensified when senators raised questions about ongoing investigations related to the chat expansion that included journalism participation. Waltz confirmed that an inquiry from the White House took place and mentioned ongoing investigations by the Department of Defense, adding that he could not delve into specifics.

Surprisingly, Waltz's fellow Republican senators largely shifted their focus away from the Signal leak, directing questions towards US funding to the United Nations and strategies for addressing China's influence globally. They expressed confidence in Waltz's integrity and capability to handle the role of UN ambassador, particularly during a time when US global standing is being assessed amid significant budget cuts to foreign aid under the Trump administration.

Waltz outlined his commitment to ensuring taxpayer dollars spent at the UN are effective, mentioning a range of international projects he felt warranted review, especially those related to climate initiatives. As the confirmation process moves forward, Waltz's ability to navigate both national security concerns and international diplomatic challenges will be pivotal for his pending role at the United Nations.