Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin has raised concerns over the handling of classified military operations by senior members of the Trump administration. Durbin, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a statement addressing the issue of unsecured text chains used to discuss sensitive military matters.

Durbin stated, "It is outrageous to suggest that what was shared on this Signal text chain was not classified material. We are talking about an attack on another country and the possible endangerment of the men and women in the United States’ military. This is a serious life and death matter and should be treated as such."

He further expressed his belief that DNI Director Gabbard and CIA Director Ratcliffe misled Congress by downplaying the severity of these communications. "This was a war plan, and American lives were at risk. We should deal with it in that seriousness," Durbin emphasized.

Durbin called for an investigation by the Department of Justice into this matter, criticizing President Trump's dismissal of its significance. He remarked, "To dismiss it, as the President tried yesterday, is incredible and not fair to our men and women in uniform."

In response to these revelations, Durbin joined U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and other top Democrats from national security committees in sending a letter to President Trump seeking clarification on how classified information was handled within his administration.