In a striking moment captured during a high-level White House cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Michael Waltz — then serving as the national security adviser — was photographed checking his phone, with the screen visibly displaying conversations on what appears to be a customized version of the encrypted messaging app Signal. Just one day later, President Trump removed Waltz from his post.
The image, taken by Reuters photographer Evelyn Hockstein, shows Waltz seated at the Oval Office conference table surrounded by top Trump administration officials. A closer look at his device reveals an open interface of a messaging app bearing resemblance to Signal, but modified for government use.
Conversations with Top Officials Revealed
The screen displayed a recent list of conversations, including with Vice President JD Vance, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — who was named Waltz’s interim successor the following day.
According to cybersecurity analysts and a report by 404 Media, the app in question appears to be a TeleMessage-customized version of Signal, known for preserving message logs to comply with federal recordkeeping requirements. A prompt on Waltz’s screen asked him to verify his “TM SGNL PIN,” indicating the use of this modified platform. Time stamps on the messages suggest the exchanges took place shortly before or during the cabinet meeting.
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A History of Missteps with Signal
While the image sparked immediate attention on social media and in Washington, reactions were mixed. Critics questioned the appropriateness of handling potentially classified discussions on any version of Signal — modified or not — during a sensitive government session, especially given Waltz’s prior missteps involving the app.
Back in March, Waltz faced significant backlash after he inadvertently added a journalist to a Signal group chat meant for internal discussion of a U.S. military operation in Yemen. The error triggered bipartisan concern and renewed scrutiny over secure communication protocols within the Trump administration.
Calls for Resignation and Delayed Action
At the time, Democratic lawmakers urged the resignations of both Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging negligence in safeguarding national security information. Despite mounting pressure, President Trump declined to take immediate action. “We don’t let the press dictate who works in my administration,” he reportedly told aides at the time.
That position appeared to shift this week. On Thursday, the White House announced Waltz’s removal as national security adviser. In a surprising twist, Trump simultaneously nominated Waltz to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations — a move some critics say rewards, rather than penalizes, his mismanagement.
White House Response and Public Scrutiny
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung attempted to downplay the controversy. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he stated: “Signal is an approved app that is loaded onto our government phones.” He did not, however, address whether the modified version used by Waltz had received clearance for classified conversations or whether usage protocols had been violated. TeleMessage’s parent company, Smarsh, has so far declined to comment.
The leaked image has reignited a broader debate over digital communication tools within the federal government. While apps like Signal offer strong encryption, they have not traditionally been approved for classified communications due to limited audit trails and security oversight.
Mixed Messages from Trump on Signal Use
President Trump himself has sent mixed signals on the matter. In a recent interview with The Atlantic, he appeared to discourage the use of Signal among his staff, saying, “I think we learned: Maybe don’t use Signal, OK?” He acknowledged that the app had gained popularity in both government and private circles but emphasized, “I would frankly tell these people not to use Signal, although it’s been used by a lot of people.”
In earlier comments, Trump dismissed concerns surrounding the Yemen Signal mishap, calling the controversy a “waste of time” and asserting that no critical information had been compromised.
Experts Warn of National Security Risks
Nevertheless, experts say the optics of Waltz’s phone screen — especially with visible names and message fragments during an official meeting — could have serious implications. “This isn’t just a question of protocol, it’s a matter of perception and public trust,” said Lisa McDonough, a cybersecurity policy analyst at Brookings. “When you have senior officials using these tools casually, even for legitimate reasons, it weakens the credibility of secure communications across the board.”
Future Uncertain for Waltz
Waltz has not commented publicly on the photograph or his abrupt reassignment. Whether his new diplomatic post will face resistance in the Senate remains to be seen.
In the meantime, the image stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities — and political consequences — that come with a reliance on digital messaging in high-stakes government environments.
