Senator Michael Bennet Accuses Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe of Lying About Signal Group Chat Incident

Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) took a strong stance on Sunday, accusing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe of lying about messages exchanged in a Signal group chat, which involved top members of the Trump administration discussing a military attack on Yemen.

Bennet's comments came after NBC News's Kristen Welker asked him whether he believed Gabbard and Ratcliffe had been truthful when they testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee earlier in the week.

Bennet wasted no time in expressing his doubts. "No, I think they lied repeatedly to our committee and to the House committee. Kristen, let me try to make this as simple as I can," Bennet responded.

"I think the American people know this. If this material was not classified, literally nothing that I’ve ever heard as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee over all these years is classified."

This direct rebuke followed reports that Gabbard and Ratcliffe, both former Trump administration officials, had repeatedly denied that any classified information was shared during the Signal discussion, despite the fact that certain messages revealed sensitive details about military operations. According to Bennet, their testimony contradicted the evidence available and demonstrated a lack of transparency about the gravity of the situation.

Bennet’s condemnation also addressed the broader issue of accountability within the intelligence community. He stressed that the incident involving the Signal chat was deeply disrespectful to intelligence officers and undermined the professionalism and integrity of U.S. intelligence agencies.

Earlier in the week, Bennet had called the incident “sloppy” and “incompetent,” saying it reflected poorly on the Trump administration's handling of classified information and security protocols.

The Signal incident, which involved a group chat among top officials in the Trump administration, quickly became a flashpoint for criticism from both sides of the aisle.

According to reports, the group chat included discussions about a planned military operation in Yemen, but the inclusion of a journalist in the chat and the use of Signal — an encrypted messaging app often used for secure communications — raised serious concerns about the breach of security protocols.

Senator Bennet’s criticism was echoed by several of his colleagues. The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), also condemned the Trump administration for its careless handling of classified information and its failure to follow proper security procedures.

Warner highlighted the dangers posed by adversaries like China and Russia, who have made efforts to infiltrate encrypted systems, underscoring the risks posed by the mishandling of sensitive information.

"There’s plenty of declassified information that shows that our adversaries, China and Russia, are trying to break into encrypted systems," Warner said during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.

"And this is an example of how careless, incompetent behavior, particularly towards classified information, is not a one-off or a first-time error. This is something that has been happening consistently."

Warner’s remarks pointed to a broader issue within the Trump administration, which had already been criticized for its approach to intelligence and national security. The Signal incident, according to Warner and Bennet, was not an isolated mistake but part of a pattern of disregard for security protocols and failure to treat classified information with the necessary level of care.

In his appearance on NBC’s "Meet the Press," Bennet also emphasized the need for impartiality and honesty from those at the highest levels of the intelligence community. He argued that the American people deserved better from the leaders who were tasked with safeguarding national security.

“We need the top members of our intelligence community to be nonpartisan,” Bennet stated. “We need them to tell the truth to the American people.” This call for nonpartisanship was underscored by the growing frustration among many lawmakers about the politicization of intelligence agencies.

For Bennet, the Signal incident illustrated a deeper concern about the integrity of U.S. intelligence operations under the Trump administration.

Bennet’s criticism also highlighted the challenge of restoring public trust in the intelligence community, which had been severely undermined during the Trump years. As the investigation into the Signal incident continues, Bennet’s call for greater accountability and transparency seems to reflect a broader desire to reset the relationship between the intelligence community and the American public.

Many lawmakers, including Bennet, believe that the intelligence community must be allowed to function without undue political interference in order to ensure the nation’s security.

The Senate Intelligence Committee, of which Bennet is a member, has been at the center of the controversy surrounding the Signal group chat. The committee’s role in investigating the issue and holding those responsible accountable is critical in addressing the wider implications of the incident.

The involvement of key officials like Gabbard and Ratcliffe, both of whom had high-level security clearances, raises important questions about the extent to which classified information was mishandled during the Trump administration.

Senator Bennet, who has long been an advocate for strengthening oversight of the intelligence community, made it clear that the committee would continue to pursue the truth.

He criticized the Trump administration for failing to take responsibility for the mishandling of sensitive information and for allowing actions like the Signal incident to undermine the trust that Americans place in their intelligence agencies.

Bennet’s statements also reflect a growing frustration among lawmakers about the lack of accountability within the Trump administration. While the administration’s handling of intelligence matters has long been a point of contention, the Signal incident has brought these concerns to the forefront, raising questions about whether the intelligence community is being properly managed and held accountable.

The Signal incident could have long-lasting implications for how intelligence oversight is handled in the future. For Bennet and others on the Senate Intelligence Committee, the incident highlights the need for stronger safeguards around the use of secure communication systems and a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability in intelligence operations.

As the investigation into the Signal incident continues, the Senate Intelligence Committee is likely to push for reforms to prevent similar breaches in the future. This could involve stricter oversight of intelligence personnel and greater scrutiny of the use of encrypted messaging systems by government officials.

Given the political and security stakes involved, many believe that this incident could become a turning point for how the U.S. intelligence community operates moving forward.

The growing bipartisan concern over the Signal incident also underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of intelligence operations, particularly in a time of heightened geopolitical tension.

With adversaries like China and Russia seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in U.S. intelligence systems, the need for strong, independent oversight has never been more pressing.

As the fallout from the Signal incident continues to unfold, Bennet’s calls for reform and greater transparency in the intelligence community will likely continue to shape the national conversation. For Bennet, the issue is not just about holding individuals accountable but also about restoring trust in the institutions that are responsible for keeping the country safe.

The intelligence community plays a critical role in U.S. national security, and its credibility is essential for the functioning of American democracy. If the Signal incident is any indication, however, it is clear that more work needs to be done to ensure that intelligence agencies can operate independently and with the utmost professionalism.

The Signal group chat incident has become a flashpoint for debate over the future of U.S. intelligence oversight. With high-level officials like Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe accused of lying to Congress about the handling of classified information, the need for accountability has never been clearer.

As Senator Michael Bennet and others on the Senate Intelligence Committee continue to press for answers, the future of intelligence oversight will be shaped by their efforts to restore trust and ensure that national security remains a top priority.