Rapid Response 47 @RapidResponse47
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.@CIADirector: "One of the first things that happened when I was confirmed as CIA director was Signal was loaded onto my computer ... One of the things that I was briefed on very early was ... the use of Signal as a permissible work use — it is."

11:03 AM · Mar 25, 2025. //

RATCLIFFE: It is permissible to use to communicate and coordinate for work purposes, provided — provided, Senator — that any decisions that are made are also recorded through formal channels. So, those were procedures that were implemented — my staff implemented those processes, followed those processes, complied with those processes, and finally — just please — so, my communications, to be clear, in a Signal message group, were entirely permissible and lawful — and did not include classified information. //

As Bonchie rightly noted earlier, Goldberg's inclusion on the chat was an unforced error, and frankly, none of the administration should be in contact with him — ever — given his previous bad-faith reporting.

But as Ratcliffe's testimony clearly demonstrates, the use of the app itself by officials for non-classified communication and coordinating for work purposes is both allowed and legal — just as it was under the Biden administration. Hopefully, this will serve as a valuable lesson and help underscore the importance of mindfulness as to proper channels and participants when officials communicate with one another.