Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that the Trump administration will implement reforms following a communications mishap that saw a journalist accidentally added to a private Signal chat between senior officials. The group chat, intended for internal coordination during a sensitive operation, was meant to be secure—until someone mistakenly added an outside party.
“Someone made a big mistake,” Rubio said bluntly during a press conference with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “Nothing against journalists, but you ain’t supposed to be on that thing.”
What Happened
The private Signal thread was set up to coordinate call times and messaging between administration officials during a high-level event. While no classified or sensitive intelligence was reportedly exposed, Rubio made it clear the situation was unacceptable and served as a wake-up call for tightening internal communication procedures.
“It was meant for quick coordination, and that’s all,” Rubio explained. “But clearly someone didn’t follow proper vetting protocols when adding participants. That’s going to change.”
No Harm Done—But Not Taken Lightly
Rubio emphasized that the mistake did not compromise the success or security of the operation involved. Still, he was unequivocal about the need for immediate procedural reforms to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
“This can’t happen again,” he said. “And it won’t. There will be reforms and changes made.”
White House Reviewing Protocols
According to Rubio, the White House is already conducting a review, with an emphasis on preventing similar incidents in future internal communications. Sources inside the administration say additional verification steps are likely to be implemented when adding users to secured digital platforms.
The incident has also sparked concern in Congress, with some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle pushing for a broader review of how digital communication tools are being used inside federal agencies.
Bottom Line
While no damage was done this time, the Signal mishap serves as a reminder that discipline in digital security matters at every level of government. Secretary Rubio’s quick acknowledgment and call for reform demonstrate the Trump administration’s ongoing commitment to protecting operational integrity—and correcting errors with speed and transparency.
.@SecRubio: “Obviously, someone made a mistake — someone made a big mistake and added a journalist — nothing against journalists, but you ain’t supposed to be on that thing.” pic.twitter.com/CcAepT7fHi
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 26, 2025