Trump's military plans leaked to journalist: Washington scandal that could get Waltz fired
Kyiv • UNN
The Atlantic editor was accidentally added to a chat with plans for strikes on Houthis. Congress is outraged, adviser Waltz faces resignation due to the leak.
In Congress, security breaches were criticized after The Atlantic editor reported that he was accidentally included in a group chat involving high-ranking officials. This also sparked a heated discussion in the White House: an investigation has been launched, and there is even talk that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz should be fired. This is reported by UNN with reference to FT, CBC News, Newsweek and POLITICO.
Details
Stunning revelation: On Monday, the White House said it was investigating how the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine was accidentally added to a group text message in which people resembling members of President Donald Trump's administration discussed plans to launch airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen.
Context
In an article published Monday, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, recounted how he said he was accidentally added to a group chat involving National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President J.D. Vance, and others on the encrypted messaging app Signal earlier this month.
According to Goldberg, in the chat, Hegseth detailed plans to bomb Houthi targets in Yemen.
Concerns in the United States House of Representatives
Law enforcement remains silent, but the US Congress has expressed outrage. Several congressmen criticized the security breach. Democrats, in particular, have taken a tougher stance on how this should be handled during the investigation that has already begun.
The negligence demonstrated by President Trump's cabinet is appalling and dangerous. I will immediately seek answers from the administration.
This is certainly concerning, and it appears mistakes were made. There will likely be classified briefings on this soon.
Will Waltz be fired?
Now the future of US National Security Advisor Waltz is in question, media report.
A senior administration official reported talks with other administration staff about "what to do with Waltz" after it became known:
A top aide to the US president inadvertently included the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic in a private chat where they discussed a military strike against the Houthis.
Two senior White House aides floated the idea that Waltz should resign to prevent the president from being put in a "bad position."
It was unwise to have this conversation on Signal. You cannot allow indiscretion in the position of National Security Advisor.
A third person familiar with the fallout said Trump had spoken to Waltz about the matter — and the White House is so far backing the latter.
President Trump continues to have great confidence in his national security team, including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
A fourth White House official said they were aware of internal pressure on Waltz to admit his mistake.
This could mean a likely resignation.
Reaction of the US Secretary of Defense
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth denies the leak of military plans through a chat joined by Jeffrey Goldberg. Hegseth made his denial while in Hawaii, where he is conducting official events, including meetings with civilian and military leaders of the Indo-Pacific Command.
Can you explain how your information about military plans against the Houthis in Yemen was shared with journalists and The Atlantic, and were these details classified?
So, I'm talking about a lying and utterly discredited so-called journalist who has made a profession out of selling hoaxes again and again, including, I don't know, Russia hoaxes... So a guy who trades in garbage... No one corresponded with military plans, and that's all I can say.
I would like to comment on the campaign against the Houthis through the skill and bravery of our troops. .. President Trump said, "Enough!" We will restore deterrence. We will open freedom of navigation and ultimately destroy the Houthis, which we are doing now, from the very beginning, overwhelmingly.
Recall
According to the NYT, the Pentagon planned to inform Elon Musk about war plans with China. Trump and the Pentagon leadership denied this information, calling it fake.