Leaked Personal Information of Trump Officials Poses National Security Risk

Donald Trump’s administration suffered a significant breach of national security, as personal data—including phone numbers and passwords—of several high-ranking officials has been leaked. This alarming revelation was reported by Der Spiegel, which cited its own investigation. Among those affected are key figures such as White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

According to the report, the compromised information is still active on social media platforms and messaging services, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Signal, raising unprecedented security concerns for the U.S. administration. Experts warn that this data could be exploited by foreign intelligence agencies, potentially allowing them access to classified communications.

Der Spiegel‘s investigation suggests that the leak stems from careless handling of confidential information at senior levels. The ramifications extend beyond individual privacy; the breach undermines trust in the U.S. security apparatus and jeopardizes ongoing military operations against the Houthis, as well as delicate negotiations with Iran.

Compounding the issue is the fact that the officials’ data is linked to their personal accounts on messaging platforms used for official correspondence. Notably, a secret Signal chat where plans for the Yemen attack were discussed inadvertently became accessible to The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, due to an error in participant management. This incident, which surfaced in mid-March, had already sparked controversy, and the latest data leak has intensified the crisis. Experts fear that foreign intelligence agencies, could leverage the compromised numbers and passwords for phishing attacks or direct hacking attempts.

Recent events provide further context to this troubling situation. Since Trump resumed his presidency in January 2025, his administration has faced a series of leaks. Earlier in March, The Washington Post reported a compromise of Pentagon personnel data linked to a hacking attack attributed to a group believed to be acting on behalf of Iran. According to Google Threat Intelligence, in 2024, similar groups increased their efforts to hack the accounts of U.S. officials via Signal and WhatsApp, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities within the administration. However, the current incident stands out due to its scale and the high-profile nature of those affected.