# The specific clusterfuck of discussing war plans over Signal, a consumer cellphone app **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [March 26, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157 "2025-03-26T21:01:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/201 "2025-04-22T07:54:52Z")
The infighting is getting insane: John Ullyot, former chief Pentagon spokesman (hired by Hegseth) wrote an Op-Ed in Politico on Easter Sunday: (Note his grovelling for the orange shit gibbon, while trying to throw his former boss under the bus) > The president deserves better than the current _mishegoss_ at the Pentagon. Given his record of holding prior Cabinet leaders accountable, many in the secretary’s own inner circle will applaud quietly if Trump chooses to do the same in short order at the top of the Defense Department. [https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/04/20/pentagon-chaos-ullyot-hegseth-00205594](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/04/20/pentagon-chaos-ullyot-hegseth-00205594) ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/202 "2025-04-22T09:14:06Z")
Allegedly it was for gifts, meals, and such for family. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/203 "2025-04-22T11:52:17Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Allegedly it was for gifts, meals, and such for family I saw someone on reddit mention that the contents of this bag were similar to what you’d have in a “go bag”, so you’re ready to disappear on a moment’s notice, like if you were found to be a criminal, or some such thing. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/204 "2025-04-22T11:57:51Z")
A “go bag”?. Well, it lived up to its name, and went… ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/205 "2025-04-22T13:12:09Z")
Did they release a still/security video? I can see a lookalike contest shaping like with Luigi. Searching for just the right mask now. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/206 "2025-04-22T13:20:40Z")
🤣From The Onion: > **[Pete Hegseth: ‘There Are No State Secrets In A Healthy Relationship’  ](https://theonion.com/pete-hegseth-there-are-no-state-secrets-in-a-healthy-relationship/)** > > WASHINGTON—Staunchly defending his decision to share sensitive military data in messages to his wife, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters Monday, “There are no state secrets in a healthy relationship.” “Communication is key in every strong... > "…marriage, and that includes communication about airstrikes on foreign adversaries,” said the Pentagon chief, who called the mere idea of withholding classified information from one’s spouse “toxic” and “unhealthy.” “In fact, when I told my therapist we were attacking the Houthis, the first thing he asked me was ‘Did you tell your wife?’ The real scandal would have been not telling her. I mean, if she’d had war plans, I would’ve wanted her to text me.” Hegseth added that the best marital advice he had ever received was to never go to bed without saying you’re going to bomb Yemen. When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. I get ya, Pete! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/207 "2025-04-22T13:24:19Z")
The idea that he _should_ be sharing classified information with his wife is bizarre. I think most people don’t share that much about their work with their spouse. And why does his therapist need to know about the Houthi attack? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/208 "2025-04-22T13:25:49Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Ever notice that when there’s a major screwup at a company or government agency, employees who report problems and/or get fired in revenge are commonly referred to as “disgruntled”? > > “Nothing at all wrong, just some grunting, disgruntled workers who are no longer here. Pay no attention.” It _does_ raise the question of what about the workplace put them in a disgruntled frame of mind… > [@John Ullyot\_courtesy of Charlie\_Tan](#): > > The president deserves better than the current _mishegoss_ at the Pentagon. **Given his record of holding prior Cabinet leaders accountable** , many in the secretary’s own inner circle will applaud quietly if Trump chooses to do the same in short order at the top of the Defense Department. I’ll note that the only thing the America-hating fuckstick has ever held a Cabinet official for was a deficiency of loyalty to himself. Pete’ll be fine. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The idea that he _should_ be sharing classified information with his wife is bizarre. I think most people don’t share that much about their work with their spouse. And why does his therapist need to know about the Houthi attack? Onion. Took me a moment, too. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/209 "2025-04-22T13:26:04Z")
nm    ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/210 "2025-04-22T13:27:14Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > And why does his therapist need to know about the Houthi attack? Not a regular reader of the Onion, then? ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/211 "2025-04-22T13:29:26Z")
From Blackadder goes Forth: Darling: Very well sir. “List of personnel cleared for mission Gainsborough, as dictated by General C. H. Melchett: You and me, Darling, obviously. Field Marshal Haig, Field Marshal Haig’s wife, all Field Marshal Haig’s wife’s friends, their families, their families’ servants, their families’ servants’ tennis partners, and some chap I bumped into the mess the other day called Bernard.” Melchett: So, it’s maximum security, is that clear? ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/212 "2025-04-22T14:01:04Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > And why does his therapist need to know about the Houthi attack? Look. His therapist really needs every detail, from to consistency of his morning turd to his weird marriage to his favourite evening - sorry midday - ah, Ok. His favourite breakfast whisky. How else is he going to advise on how to improve psychopathology? Crazy people are not just born like that, they need to be raised and, at adulthood, get actual training. Old man Hegseth is following a well worn path (or pathology) - a bit like the Mexican border pathways. Except they lead to hope, and his leads precisely the other direction. His therapist is probably an automated phone-sex line based in Korea ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/213 "2025-04-22T14:19:44Z")
I thought the ROFL emoji at the beginning would be a hint. No, eh? * * * OTOH, maybe @Dewey_Finn whooshed us all. If so, then well done, sir! 👍🏼 ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/214 "2025-04-22T14:31:13Z")
I know precious little about hacking, and I had never heard of the Signal app until this specific clusterfuck surfaced. But now that it’s painfully obvious that Hegseth and the others in the clown car are regular users of Signal, it’s also rather obvious that a whole lot of bad actors will be targeting Signal in an effort to glean sensitive information for nefarious purposes. So my question to the Smart Dopers is: how easy (or difficult) will it be for these Bad Guys to hack into Signal and ‘listen’ to Whiskeyleaks Pete and his Band of Idiots? ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/215 "2025-04-22T14:33:39Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Whiskeyleaks Ha!!! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/216 "2025-04-22T14:34:02Z")
It’s very hard to hack into Signal. It has good encryption. The problem with using signal isn’t that Signal is easy to hack, it’s that it is an ordinary app living in an ordinary environment, so it talks to your phone’s address book, not to a secure list of people. And you access it on your consumer-grade (and hackable) phone, not on a secure piece of hardware. The other problem with using Signal is that is has an option for automatically deleting old posts, which is a violation of US law when applied to govenment documents. That seems to be why they are using it – so as to be able to cover their tracks. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/217 "2025-04-22T14:42:03Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > And you access it on your consumer-grade (and hackable) phone, not on a secure piece of hardware. Thanks for the info, makes sense. So the danger, then, is the possibility, however slight, that a phone might be hacked, rather than the app itself, correct? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/218 "2025-04-22T14:43:09Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Whiskeyleaks > [@JKellyMap](#): > > Ha!!! Wish I could claim it is as my original! Sadly, I cannot. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/219 "2025-04-22T15:19:40Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > So the danger, then, is the possibility, however slight, that a phone might be hacked, rather than the app itself, correct? That is the main danger. But it isn’t a slight risk. Even with the best practices, phones can still be hacked. And these people are very far away from best practices. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/220 "2025-04-22T15:24:30Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > So the danger, then, is the possibility, however slight, that a phone might be hacked, rather than the app itself, correct? It’s not slight at all. I agree with the previous; a consumer grade device is almost trivially easy to compromise by a determined state attacker. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157.md?page=12)