Group Asks Judge to Stop Trump Officials From Hiding Behind Encrypted App Signal

A government watchdog group is taking legal action against the Trump administration, accusing officials of using the encrypted messaging app Signal to hide key conversations — potentially about national security — from public oversight.

The nonprofit group, American Oversight, filed a lawsuit this week asking a federal judge to stop former Trump officials from using the app for official government business. Their main concern? Messages that vanish into thin air could mean important decisions, especially on issues like military operations, are being made in secret and leaving no paper trail behind.

How It All Started

The lawsuit comes after a surprising slip-up back in March, when a journalist was accidentally added to a Signal group chat involving several high-level Trump administration members. The chat reportedly included discussions about military plans in Yemen — a topic with major implications for national security and foreign policy.

That mistake sparked alarm. If these kinds of sensitive conversations are happening off-the-record and then automatically deleted, watchdogs say it could violate the Federal Records Act, which requires officials to preserve records of government activity.

“We’re not just talking about routine texts,” said a spokesperson from American Oversight. “These were discussions involving national security and foreign policy. That’s not something you delete.”

What the Lawsuit Is Demanding

American Oversight is asking the court to step in quickly. The group wants the judge to issue an order stopping the use of disappearing messages on apps like Signal for official government business. They’re also demanding that the Trump administration preserve all existing Signal communications from March 11–15, 2025 — especially those related to the Yemen military discussions.

To comply with federal law, the group argues, these types of records need to be documented and stored, not wiped out with a self-destruct timer.

The Judge Responds

The federal judge overseeing the case agreed that the messages might be protected records and issued a temporary order telling Trump-era officials to preserve all Signal texts from that time frame. The judge also ordered a detailed report explaining what steps are being taken to recover and save the messages.

It’s unclear how much of the original Signal chat still exists, but the court wants answers — and fast.

Why It Matters

At its heart, the case is about government transparency — and what tools public officials should (or shouldn’t) be using to talk about matters of national importance.

Signal is known for its strong encryption and privacy features. Messages can be set to disappear after a set time, and users can delete chats permanently. While that might be great for private citizens, critics say it’s a dangerous loophole when used by government leaders.

“If public officials are using apps designed to erase conversations, how can the public ever know what decisions were made — or why?” said a legal expert who specializes in government accountability.

The case could set a major precedent for how digital communications are handled by officials, not just under Trump but for future administrations as well.

What Comes Next

The Trump administration hasn’t responded publicly to the lawsuit yet, though they’ve indicated they’ll follow the court’s preservation order. Legal experts say the next few weeks will be crucial in determining how much information can be recovered — and whether further legal action will follow.

As for American Oversight, they’re hoping the case will prompt a broader discussion in Washington about how modern communication tools should be governed in the digital age.

“This isn’t about politics,” their spokesperson said. “It’s about making sure our government stays accountable — and that history isn’t written in disappearing ink.”