“This Administration continues to make history for all the wrong reasons. This is beyond the pale. The disregard for human life. The disregard for national security.”

“Under this Administration, the United States’ foreign policy is a failure. Decades of diplomatic efforts to build good will and keep the American people safe have been upended. We have an unelected billionaire gutting life-saving programs like USAID’s essential work to feed newborns and to get medicine to war zones.”

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – Today, in a speech on the House floor, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) slammed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Trump Administration officials for their blatant disregard of national security after it was revealed they shared war plans on a group chat using a phone messaging app that included aa journalist. In her remarks, Rep. Pressley demanded Hegseth’s resignation and called for everyone involved to be investigated by Congress.

A full transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks, as delivered, is available below and the full video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Calls for Pete Hegseth Resignation, Rails Against DoD for Disregarding National Security, Human Life
U.S. House of Representatives
March 26, 2025

Madam Chair, I rise today to call out the recklessness of those in this Administration entrusted with our national security.

I did not think I would see a day where someone with the highest security clearance is using a phone messaging app to treat matters of national security with such blatant disregard.

Celebrating with emojis in a group chat as they unlawfully authorize military actions.

I struggle to find a reference point.

This Administration continues to make history for all the wrong reasons.

This is beyond the pale.

The disregard for human life. The disregard for national security.

Let me just make this abundantly clear to the American people – secure channels of communication do exist to discuss classified military action. They sure as hell are not a signal group chat.

Information like this – it is imperative that it be handled with sensitivity.

Under this Administration, the United States’ foreign policy is a failure.

Decades of diplomatic efforts to build good will and keep the American people safe have been upended.

We have an unelected billionaire gutting life-saving programs like USAID’s essential work to feed newborns and to get medicine to war zones.

And meanwhile, you have a cast of characters in these roles having nothing to do with merit, but simply their fealty and loyalty to Donald Trump.

A cast of characters ordering military strikes in a group chat with a random journalist in it.

This is nothing to be cavalier about.

This is not a drill, it is not a joke, and every person involved should be investigated by Congress.

In particular, Pete Hegseth is proving himself to be grossly unqualified to lead the Department of Defense and should have never been confirmed by the Senate.

This national security failure is proof that he cannot serve this country’s best interest and I call for Pete Hegseth to resign. 

I yield.

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